The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1913-09-25
EASTERN OREGON
LOOKS GOOD.
Portland Woman Tells of
Recent Auto Trip Thru
This Section---Good
Roads and Bad.

Francis @, Jackson in last Sunday 4
Journal describes the trip by auto
from Portland to Pendleton and re.
turn. The article is full of praise
for the Eastern Oregon scenery and
camping facilities aud several gooc
hotels were mentioned An extract oi
the article reads as follows:
At Fossil delightful little hotel,
we'll kept and clean, will be found
with congenial host. Most of tbs
places through Eastern Oregon
where we stopped we're endowed with
clean, reat, we'll run inns. None Of
an elaboate nature, but comfortable
and the rates were exceptionally
reasonable.
From Fossil to Condor the road
was found to be in very fair condi
tion. A short distance from Condor
we entered Morrow county. The roads
were only fair. The Alkali canyon
after leaving HeppneF in UmatilIa
county is steep. narrow and dangerous
1t was through this canyon that most
of the machines met trouble. There
is 20 place to pass if a team or a
machine from the opposite direction
is met
One redeeming feature, however.
is that no matter how p'or the roads
there was ALWAYS material near at
hand with which they could get
through on their on power.
What is necessary through eastern
Oregon is for the judges who have
charge of the work to get out and go
over these roads personally and find
out first hand what is necessary to
put them in condition so that the
wheat and other ranch products may
be hauled to market at minimum
cost to the rancher.
There is tar weed and sage brush
that could be placed in tina ruts,
there by saving them from damage
until such time as permanent high
way constructor is authorized.
Another very annoying feature of
the roads through UmatiIla county
were the high centers encountered
There is absolutely no excuse for these
existing. as pair of horses with
leg drag could cut down and level off
at least 10 or 20 miles of road daily.
1t would paw the people in this
section of the state to employ men for
several months during the wheat
hauling season to drag the roads and
the rough spots. In this
way 100 per cent efficiency could be
had, whereas they are now getting
less than 20 per cent.
From Heppner to Echo and Stan
iald, through Morrow county che
roads were. found to be in fair condi-
ton. The hotel at Stanfield was fine
and the meals and bed were as good |
as any ever found on a touring trir.
The road from Echo to Stanfell was
not the best until the Meadows were
reached
The section through the Meadows
was splendid. From Stanfeld to
Pendleton. by misdireetion we went
line miles over a sand road that was
4 disgrace to any county. The roads
through UmatiIla county could be
ixed at small cost that would save
many thousands of dollars to the
.anchers each year The trip back
vas made by wav of Pilot Rock,
deDpner and Lexington. The roads
'or the greater part of this distance
we're in fair condition. From Lex
ngt0n to lone the roads are good.
There is a delightful little hotel at
one. The man who runs the house
loes his own cooking, and we found
10 better on the entire trip
From lone to Olex and Wasco the
loads were bad until we hit Wasoo
county. Through Wasco county the
best dirt roads ever encountered on a
touring trip are to be found. Cross
ng the Deschutes over Miller's bridge
noted for it's picturesque and histori-
al interests, we climbed the hill
hat overlooks the Columbia.