The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-08-04
PRISONERS TO BUILD
COLUMBIA HIGHWAY

be put to work on the road along the
Columbia from Portland to Hood River
according to the 0regonian, which
also states that engineers are mapping
out the route of the road in the county
of the metropolis. The article in the
Portland paper which is mistaken in
stating that work has begun in this
county follows:
That construction work on the west
ern end of the proposed Columbia
highway from Portland to Hood River
and The Dalles will start this fall, has
been assured E. Henry Wemme,
father of the good road idea, and one
of Portland's best and most public
spirited citizens, by the Multnomah
County Commissioners. Already con-
sruction on the Hood River County
end of the gigantic project has beer
started, and much toward the good
roads end has been accomplished by
the County Road Supervisors men,
ably assisted by the farmers anC
citizens of the new county.
At present tive squads of men, one
of engineers and another OF viewers,
are at work mapping the road, tigur'
ing out the grades and doing other
work instrumental to the betterment
of the good roads work that will be
carried on this Fall. These men are
at work between Latourelle Falls anC
Cacsade Locks. Not only are they al
work on the road, but they are looking
for suitable sites for rock crushers anC
stockades in which the county pri
soners will be confined. Much of the
proposed highway about 70 per cent
will have to be constructed by hanC
work, and all, or nearly all, will bt
done by the county prisoners who are
at present at work either at the
Linnton quarry or at the Kelley Butte
establishment.
By working the county prisoners oil
the roads, the cost of road production
will be lessened by over half, say
specially informed men on the roaC
situation that have been consulted
by both Mr.. Wemme and the Count!
Commissioners.
| Lewis Russell, prominent goot
roads enthusiast of Portland, hireC
engineers to go over the proposed roaC
and to make an estimate of the cost o
the project. They reported that al
l8-foot road way could be built by pri
vate contractors for $49, 900.
Mr.. Wemme and Mr.. Russell ant
other persons interested in the gooC
roads project are desirous of 40-foo
roadway from Portland to Hood River
This, their engineers report can b.
built for less than 100000. Half o
this sum can be saved by the use 0
the county prisoners on the work
The actual money expenditure by tn
counties will be less than $50, 900, i
is averred.
"This new road, said Mr.. Wemme
twill unite Eastern and Western Ore
gon with a splendid highway, whicl
has long been needed for the benefi
of both communities. At presen
there is not a road by which tn,
western Oregon farmer can make th'
trip to Portland without either spend
ing days on the trip and running biz
risk of accident or making the journe,
by way of Medford and the WilIamett
Valley, which would men the loss o
many days time. Of course, it i
possible to come by way of Noun
Hood at certain seasons of the year
but these times are few.
"When the new roadway is com
pleted, which | think will be som
time next summer, it will be possibl
for the Wasco and Hood River count
citizens to make the trip to Portlan,
by automobile in a few hours time
where now either days are spent o
their cars are shipped by boat.
"Some taxpayers think that tn
expenditure of money for roads is
waste of money, but, to the contrary
it is an investment both for the count.
and and the taxpayers. Good road
make property valuable. VALUABLE
property means more money for tn,
county in taxes, and so there you are
The taxpayers would soon be re
imbursed for their expenditure o
money on good roads in the increas
in their property values.
"Along this proposed road iron
Hood River to Portland, Oregon cal
boast of the most magnificent scener,
in the world. Now, this should b
made accessible to the tourists il
other ways than by steamboat o
train, and the best way to do this is t.
begin immediate construction worl
on this highway. Oregon is getting
the tourists, but it is not getting thei
money, simply because there is n
way for them to realize the beaut,
and value of Oregon property. To d
this, we must have means by whicl
the visitors can inspect the country b.
closer ways than travelling through o.
the train or boats.
"If Los Angeles had the Columbii
River and Oregon scenery | fee
quite sure that it would have a hard
surface boulevard built whereby tina
beauty might be displayed. No
only would boulevard be built alonl
the river, but they would also bull
country homes Ialong the course. Tn
increase in taxes and value of propert
would soon reimburse the citizens ant
counties for the expenditures
cat present Multnomah County i
expending about $120, 900 annually o.
road improvements. This, of course
is mostly day work, and much of it i
! done by prisoners.
"The Multnomah County Court AM
Commissioners have assured me tina
active work upon the road would begi
this fall. Already, | am told, the
are planning to take the rock crusher
and material for road making int
the mountain districts during the dr.
weather, so that when the rainy seaso
does commence it will not interfer
with the construction work on tn
road"
The new highway will only have t
be built from Portland to Hood River
because between. Hood River and 9Th
Dalles there is already fine har
, road. From that point into Easter
/ Oregon the roads are in fairly goo
, condition. The new road will folloy
the river for many miles. 1t will b
i necessary to build through solid roc
, for some distance, while at othe
points sand and shell rock are to b
; found. When completed the road wi
= ha ona of the hest in the state