East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-11-19

Work-ROad TO Cost Approximate
Iy $4,000 Per Mile for 800 Miles.
There is to be macadam pike from
the Columbia river to Oregon's south
ern boundary line, says the Portland
Journal. To build it the Oregon High
way association will be organized.
The cost, estimated at $4,000 a mile
for approximately 800 miles, will be
met by proposed appropriation of the
state legislature. Thus the burden of
building will not fall upon any partic-
ular locality or community and the
benefits will be shared by all.
1t will be known as the "Oregon
Highway" a section of the Pacific
highway, the road that is to extend
from north to south on the Pacific
slope Of North America. In the same
way the Oregon Highway association
will he a branch of the Pacific High
way association, the latter and greater
organization having for a purpose of
existence the promotion Of plans look
ing to the building of the greater
road.
The first act Of organization Of the
Oregon Highway association will be
performed ar tonight's meeting Of the
Oregon Good Roads association in the
Beck building. A committee will be
appointed, according to announce
ment made yesterday to meet at an
carly date with similarly appointed
n mt ftfpac 20 %
and other organizations concerned in
the permanent Improvement Of roads.
Other States Interested.
Washington and California, south
ern Alaska, British Columbia and
Mexico are also planning for the
building Of the north and south high
ways that shall be Joined to form the
Pacific highway. II is conceded that
none of them can so easily accom-
plish its part Of the tremendous plan
as Oregon. Many things unite to
make this true.
The Willamette river, flowing from
south to north nearly the length of
the state provides a continuous water
grade for a major portion of the
route. A stipulation Of the Oregon
Highway association will be: mo
grade shall exceed 10 per cent"
The material must be macadam.
Professor Parks, geologist of the Ore
gon Agricultural college, found, from
survey last summer, that basalt, the
best for road building rock, exists in
all foothills bordering the william
cite valley. Built according to water
grade and material available, the fa-
nous Appian Way of ancient Rome
would be an inferior lane com
with the Oregon highway. or AZ least,
so think those who have studied the
situation.
People Want Good Roads.
Plans for building the Oregon High
way come at time when all the
states people have been quickened
to the Importance of good roads. The
north and south thoroughfare, though
built at state expense, would be the
road used in all communities of the
Willamette valley, the main road and
river roads of the counties traversed
being by nature identical, while the
feeders to the trunk highway would
give the traveller access to all inn
portant points by the best and most
direct Of routes.
The Oregon Highway as part of
the Pacific highway Is to constitute a
direct invitati0'. to the travel of tour
lists. They do not come in propor-
ional numbers to the west now for
several reasons, including lack of ad-
vertising and poverty of transporta-
tion facilities. The new way would
furnish an automobile route through
the worlds greatest and most varied
scenery and richest country. On no
thoroughfare would side journeys be
so numerous or so inviting.
Park Will Be Ready.
The creation of the Mount Hood
national park in accordance with
plans now made would be accomplish
ed by the time the road has been built.
This, with the trip to the sea, jour-
| ney through scenery of unusual beau
| ty. would make Portland a more IA
nous center of tourist travel than
| now.
Although not definitely settled,
| membership in the Oregon Highway
| association will probably be as pre-
scribed by the Pacific Highway asso-
| citation, which Is as follows:
This association shall consist of
such automobile. good roads and 9TH
er organizations and clubs as may
! from time to time seek membership
| herein, and such individual persons
not affiliated with any clul or organ
ization as shall from time to time be
duly admitted to membership. The
members of the several clubs and or
ganizations affiliating with this high
way association shall be members OF
this association from the fact of their
membership in such club or organ
izatiora'