Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-12
COUNTY ROADS IN
A BAD CONDITION
RUTS AND CHUCK HOLES m ALL
DIRECTIONS
Autoists Anxious That Highway Com-
mission viii Be Able to Accom-
pllsh Beneficial Plans Now
Under Construction

One man aptly expressed the road con-
ditions of Southern California when he
said that we have plenty of roads only
that they have not been made yet.
That is quite true, and the sooner some
one takes 1t upon himself TO start an
actual good road movement the sooner
will we be able to get from place to
place with some degree of comfort.
Now at the opening of the winter sea-
son, when the roads ought to be put in
the best of shape tc withstand the winter
rains, they seem to be at a worse stage
In most sections than they have been for
months past
Two men with team could put the
greater part of the road between Bur
bank and San Fernando In good shape
within couple Of weeks, and yet the road
is neglected and getting worse every day.
This is a road that has enough traffic
over it to demand better conditions
Both of the roads to Pasadena and east
of that place to Azusa are poorer than
they have been for some time.
The ~oad from Los Angeles through
San Gabriel and Puente to Pomona is full
of chuck holes and bumps. In fact there
Is no direction that one can take from
Los Angeles and go any distance that
more or less bad road is not encountered.
Hope for improvements
It is to be hoped that the county high
plish the things that it is planning for
the betterment of the roads in this
county 1t is carefully preparing esti-
mates and data to present to the people
at the proper time, and support should
be afforded them.
While the estimates are not finished for
the routes to the north there are SO many
things in favor of the Santa susanna
grade, or the Chatsworth grade, as 1t is
better known, that ii will probably be
chosen in preference to the Cahuenga and
Calabasas route.
Via Cahuenga, the county would have
ten or twelve miles further to grade, and
a good Lart of 1t would be through hily
country where there is not good supply
Of roadmaking material at hand, whilo
on the Chatsworth grade there is little
of the road that is not already well
graded except the pass itself, and as the
top OF that is at the county line only half
the grade would have to be made by Los
Angeles county, Ventura taking care of
the other half. Tho commissioners OF
Ventura county have already expressed
n desire to work with the Los Angeles
commissioners.
Via NewhaIf Grade
NewhalI grade continues TO be a live
theme for discussion at all times and
there is practically no doubt that 1t Will
be recommended for Improvement
II is the only way 10 reach the Bakers
field and inland San Francisco route, and
SO is entitled to consideration.
In these days of practical common sense
It is highly improbable that any special
concession will be made TO sentiment In
leaving the Fremon pass open after the
proposed tunnel is driven, any moro than
mat the Eel Canine Real will influence
the commissioners in their recommenda-
tions for the best possible route to Ven
tura and Santa Barbara.
AS a means of travel for the mission
fathers the Calabasas road had It's ad-
vantages, but as means of opening up
a large part of this country TO further
settlement by the building of a fine high
way there is a much stronger claim for
consideration of the latter route as
practical proposition.