The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-09-03
With the strong competition which

With the strong competition which
we have in the two southern routes
lit demands of us the best effort we
can put forth to prevent through tray
| Ell being diverted away from us. For
several years, and especially up until
the last year or two, we did not seem
to be in much danger OF losing the
bulk of the through travel but since
then conditions have changed and
unless we take new courage and renew
our efforts, something is bound to
happen to our prejudice. There is no
question but what the other routes
have been spending money and giving
time to improving them while our
Trans Continental route has been neg
lected. and especially from Council
Bluffs east to Carroll The markers
along the line have been removed so
far that travellers are unable to travel
with safety along the way and this,
perhaps. is more noticeable west Of
Dunlap until Council Bluffs is reached.
although it is bad enough all the way
through.
1t is said that stranger in COM
ing from Dow City to Denison recent
ly found himself at Buck Grove be-
cause of want of sufficient signs
to guide him. The failure to drag
the roads this season is responsible
for their being rough and full of
bitches in many places. This is true
of too many places between Carroll
mendary on the conduct of those or
whom the responsibility of maintain
ing the roads is placed. The roao
from Missouri Valley to Council Bluff.
is simply indescribably bad for a
laas. One-half the distance One i
impressed while passing over the roa,
| that it has not been looked after b.
any one and no tourist can feel other
wise than disguised after havin,
gone over this section of the road. l
is true that the dry weather may hav,
made it more difficult to keep tn,
roads in proper condition. but still i
is evident that proper effort would
have improved them A large mum
Der of tourists for the west abandon
the Trans-Continental route at Deni
son and go south by way of Harlan
and from there to Council Bluffs be
cause of the neglected condition o
the highway west of here.
The claim Is made that people from
Omaha not only choose the River t
River road going east, but that the
are boosting for it because of the de
plorable condition of the road lead
ing out this way from Council Bluffs
We do not know that any blame cal
attach to anyone for adopting thi
course. If the Trans-C ontinenta
route is to gain in popularity or t,
maintain the prestige which it has al
ready secured it is time for atcion
Something must be done and done ef
ifectively or the through travel vii
be diverted from US. 1t is also tim,
that the people OF this county shoult
come to realize the loss of this route
unless they wake up to the response
bilities which are up on them
i We are told by the officials of thu
rans-Continental route that there arr
no funds for improving the line o.
placing proper markers; they asser
that it is their purpose whether will
or without funds to place signs OF
put up markers Immediately. We can
not blame them for delay if the mon
ey to be expended is not Forthcoming
by the people along the line What i!
our Commercial club doing or wha
does it propose to do in this import
ant matter? This is an opportunit,
to prove it's worth to our city, and t.
justify its existence. We know Their,
are plenty of good men in the clul
who are willing to give their time ant
their money towards improving thu
Trans-Continental route if some on,
will but take the lead in the work.
Every merchant knows that tn,
towns in the county which have tn,
best improved highways will be tn,
ones which stand the best show o
getting trade from farmers and peopl,
who travel.
We are in favor of volunteer servic,
such as Missouri and Kansas offere,
a short time ago, or if this is not feas