The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-09-02

speeders on the states macadamized |
road across six miles Of the Ross |
Fork and, between Fort Hall and
Gibson station. are injuring the high |
way. The new road is magnificent
one and is a veritable auto speed
way. Auto drivers when they strike
the macadam stretch cannot resist
a temptation to "open 'er up and
often the more powerful cars attain q
speed Of over 60 miles an hour.
Daily there are brushes between the
Short Lines Pocatello-to- Aberdeen
motor car and speeding autcs on the
macadam road, and the motor car
invariably comes out loser. Such
high speed threatens injury to the
road and the men who put up the
money to complete the work are
asking for some way to stop the
speeders. 1t has been suggested that
the Bannock and Bingham county
boards Of commissioners unite in fix
ing a maximum rate Of speed and post
warning signs at frequent intervals.
However, this would necessitate the
services of a watchman on the road.
with police powers, and the expense
would be heavy.
That county commissioners have
no power under the Law to regulate
the speed Of autos on county roads
is the opinion Of County Attorney
Raymond L, Givens Of Ada county.
who, in an opinion handed down the
other day at Boise. holds that the
county commissioners can build and
maintain roads but they cannot regu-
latd the speed that a vehicle may
travel over these' roads, they can spend
money for the improvement and bet
terment Of the travel facilities Of the
county. but they have little or no
power Of regulation after these roads
are built.
The county attorney tells the COM
missioners that they can do only those
things that the law expressly says
they may do and that they are body
Of decidedly limited jurisdiction. One
Of the peculiar features Of the law
is that it expressly provides that q
horse drawn vehicle may not race
down public highway but that It
says nothing about any motor driven
vehicle in any part Of the statute.
Mr.: Givens points out that where a
case brought to trial under that
statute, the letter of the law would
be insisted upon and the county
would not be able to maintain its ac'
uon.
The entire opinion was sent to the
commissioners following their request
for an ordinance prohibiting speed
exhibitions on the public highways oi
Ada county. After investigating the
matter, the attorney found that the
ordinance, II passed, would not stand
In a court of law.
May Become Toll Road
Theodore Turner of this city. pres
ident Of the Bannock County Automo
bile club and Of the Idaho State Auto
mobile association, was one Of th'
men through whose efforts auto own
ers and others Interested subscribed
$4,000 to complete the Ross Fcrl
road.
Boosters in five counties. Bannock
Bingham. Bonneville. Fremont ant
Bear Lake, Joined in the movemen
and notes were signed by prominen
men to create the necessary fund
These notes were negotiated througl
various banks and the money thu
secured was turned over to Contrac
tor s. W. Glenn. Some Of the sui
scribers to the fund have not ye
"come through" with their sar<
with the result that the contractp
has not yet been paid In full. Unde
the law. the state road commissio
cannot officially accept the road /
behalf of the state until it is full
paid for. What to do under the CT
cumstances is q problem. Mr.. Turne
has suggested that the road be estal
Nshed temporarily as toll road, unit
money enough Is raised to pay th