East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1912-01-29

thy one, especially in view of the fact
that the supreme court has rendered
a decision making it impossible for
the counties to bond themselves for
road purposes.
The following is the proclamation
of Governor West in full:
Proclamation.
Executive Office, Salem Ore.
January 26, 1912.
oregon Is on the eve of great
awakening. The morrow will bring
the Panama canal and with IL will
come unbounded opportunities with
their attendant influx of population
and consequent commercial and in
dustrial growth, advancement and
prosperity.
our Creator in the beginning
moulded out state with kindly hands.
When we think of her delightful cli-
mate, her hundreds or miles of gold
en- beach, her lofty mountains and
rushing streams, crystal lakes and
beautiful harbors, her magnificent
forests and rolling prairies, fertile
valleys and roaming herds, of her
waving grain and luscious fruits-a
land dotted with prosperous cities
and productive farms-we must ad-
NIT that nature has fully performed
her part. The federal government,
too has treated us fairly in the way
of appropriations for the develop
ment of our waterways and even the
railroads have awakened to the real
ization of our needs and their oppor-
tunities and are checkerboarding the
state with bands of steel
In view of these things we are
prompted to ask ourselves what
should we do in the way of cooper
alton with these several agencies for
the development of the state? 1t is
true that we have given good laws,
good government and good schools
and many other desirable things to
those who have come within our bor-
ders, but much of this good has been
nulified by some of the things we
nave failed to do and chief among
these Is our neglect in the matter OF
the construction of good roads
without good roads there can bt
no great development and no grea
progress. What we need most i.
more people-more people in the ru
raj districts. And in order to attrac
people to the rural district we mus
make rural life pleasant and attrac
tive. You cannot maroon a new set
tier and his family on a farm in al
ocean of mud, no matter how beau
tiful the spot, and expect to find hin
=. happy and content He demands goot
L roads leading to the church and tn,
1 nd
the markets and he is going to 10
cate in that section where these ad
vantages are to be found.
1t is not only her duty but it is il
Keeping with good business to built
: good roads. Money spent for gooc
:. roads is money well spent. When w,
speak of spending several millions o
d dollars during the next few years il
a road construction many are stagger
a ed by the proposal and the figures
They apparently are not aware tina
$ the several counties in this state spen
over ten million of dollars during tn,
G past six years for road work, mucl
D of which was lost through lack o
: system and knowledge as to scientifi
road building.
The question of good roads ha
: been fairly well discussed of late ant
we have learned more about roa,
d building during the past few year
I than we ever knew before, but w,
n still have much to learn and still hav
; much to do before we undertake OF
a large scale the construction of
n system of highways in this state.
We need-first: the passage o
model good road laws. Second
competent man at the head of tn
highway department. Third: fund
sufficient to carry on the work.
z These things will come onl,
through a clear understanding of th
I. whole question by the whole peopl
:, of this state.' This understandin,
!. will come only through the study b,
d and education of, the whole people.
V Numerous bills are apout to be in
t itiated or presented to the legisla
= ture by the friends of good roads il
t different parts of the state; and,
e Whereas, it is most important tina
n the people of Oregon should Civ,
: deep and thoughtful attention to tn,
= consideration, study and discussion
e of these measures
NoW, tHerelOTe, Il, OsWdiu west
governor of the state of Oregon, b,
3 virtue of the power and authorit.
A in me vested, do hereby proclaim the
week beginning the fourth day O.
February, and ending the tenth da!
of February, as Good Roads Week
and l do hereby earnestly recommend
Y to the people of this state that dur
ing this period the question of goot
8 roads legislation be given careful
: thought and study through public
| and private discussion and through
e the columns of the press, in ordel
that knowledge pertaining thereto
may be increased, public sentiment
crystalized and effective Legislation
secured.
, In testimony thereof, / have here.
t unto set my hand and caused the
great seal of the state to be affixed
on this, the twenty-sixth day of jan
| uary 1912 OSWALD WEST,