The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-31
A BRIDGE AT MOAB.

The people III southeastern Utah. that
section south of the Grand River. are
very much in earnest in their effort
to get bridge over that stream at
Moab. To that end they ask legisla
tive help. In furthcrancc OF the project
we have from the editor of the Grand
Valley Times, ut Moab, the following
appeal:
Moab. Utah. Jan. 26. 1911.
Editor Tribune:-Severai days ago Rep
resentativc j. z. Miller OF Grand county
introduced bill in the State Legislature
asking Tor an appropriation from the
state for $4,000 FOR the construction OF
a bridge across the Grand river at Moab.
i desire TO impress upon YOU the just
ness OF southeastern Gtah's need of a
bridge here. In 1910, approximately TO-,
100000 pounds of freight crossed the
Grand river at Moab and this in rattle
trap OF an old ferry that cndangers life
and property every day. In the spring
gerous on account of high water In
the fall the boat runs into sand bars and
IN the winter when the river freezes,
the use OF the ferry is made impossible
For three weeks this winter the ferry was
rendered useless. and passengers and mall
for nine postoffices. together with coal
and freight for this section. out OF neces
sity had TO be towed across the river
through the slush Ice !n rowboats. Last
winter an ice gorge. occasioned by a
sudden thaw. took out the ferryboat, and
for month the inhabitants of the entire
country south OF the river actually suf-
fered from want OF the bare necessities
OF life, such as sugar. coal and other
products which 1t is necessary to import
into this region.
Southeastern Utah is In the process OF
development, Saying nothing OF the oil
fields, which are every day bringing
dozens OF people into this section. Grand
ard San ,Jnan counties dHcl1Gilv
rich in natural resources Preliminary
steps on several large projects. Involving
The reclamation OF thousands of acres
are now under way. One of these pro-
jects viii commerce. actual construction
by the first of March on reservoir and
tunnel that Will furnish water for 1900
acres of land near Moab.
No section OF the State has received
less or asked less from the state than
Grand and San Juan counties. Our need
development work that is going on here.
bridge is an absolute necessity.
I sincerely hope that you may be able
to help. through The Tribune. In secur-
Ing this appropriation which has been
introduced in the House. Very truly
yours, LOREN l.. TAYLOR.
Editor Times.
We consider that a strong showing
In favor of the bridge, and trust that
such help as will bring success may
be lad from the Legislature. 1t is pos
sible that in the final round up of the
appropriations it may be found that
there is not money enough left to APP
propriatc so much. IF so, perhaps
postponed payments might be arranged
for in part, or possibly the people down
that way might render some assistance
themselves. At any rate, it seems
clear case that the bridge should be
built. and The Tribune bespeaks sue
cess in their effort to get it, on the
part of the Grand and San Juan county
boosters. 1t is a rich and fertile cor
ner of the State, and should not be
neglected in its prime necessities. All
new communities need help from the
older ones. In order TO establish them
selves; and now is the time to give
that help to the people of the southeast
ern part of the State.