The Delta independent., 1913-05-30
The Lure of the Mountain Highway.

U ne Lure OF INC
What Tyrol has accomplished in
the way of road building in the last
few years is described by writer in
the current Scribners. who begins
with the statement that he has come
TO the conclusion that there is no pub
lie work-outside town areas. of
course-whlch is OF such widespread
benefit or so completely praiseworthy
as the building Of finely engineered
carriage road over mountain pass
on which there was naught previously
but a mule-track. or maybe man
trodden path"
This writer points out that the won
derful roads with which Tyrol is now
covered and which attract auto tour
lists from all parts of the world. have
nearly all been completed within the
last few years. Tyrol went at. the
business of road building In Its noun
tains in wholesale fashionhand is not
yet done. One of the latest roads to
be completed. the Jaufen. took six
years to build. but II has replaced an
old path which was so rough that even
riding was not recommended. All
these Tyrolese roads are marvels OF
engineering skill One ascends to a
mountain pass on grades which never
exceed seven per cent. There is not
danger point anywhere on these
highways. and they can be negotiated
with ease by motors of ordinary
climbing power. Says the magazine
writer
There is hardly single mountain
pass of the many scores have cross
ed. which does not repay the lover OF
the picturesque. Sometimes the ac'
tual summit may be restricted in Its
outlook. because the road may have
been carved through walls OF rock
but, even in these cases. there are al
most invariably magnificent perspec-
tives few yards below the final cut
ting on one side or another. and often
on each alike. Unlike railroad
moreover. the building of a mountain
road involves no DETACHMENT Of the
scenery: and through 1t simplifies the
means of access between one village
and another. II brings no inordinats
amount OF traffic. or permanent struc
lures in the shape OF stations or lines
OF rail. such as are inseparable from
the railorad system"
II was certainly an appropriate. ant
at once catchy saying adopted b,
railroads and others of this country
See America First" 1t Is wei
known fact that wealthy people o
this country aim to travel about 81
much each year will invariably choose
some very foreign country because
as they will frequently say. the seen
cry is SO grand. etc" And these yer!
same persons have yet to know o
American grandeurs in either noun
tain or valley. People of Colorado
even do not know OF the exceptiona
attractions OF the famous Black mes'
now being placed on the great con
tinental highway may by the resident
OF this section and with the aid OF
state commission.
Commenting upon the Scribner Al
ticle the Denver Republican has thi
to say edltorially.
"In fact, 1t has come to be recogniz
, ed that the finest scenery In Switze'
land is remote from the railroads. Thi
Ia true of Colorado or any other mour
tainous country The railroad seek
the water levels. and either clings Z
the bottom OF canons or crosses tn
mountains on the lowest passes.
: COLORADO needs network of noun
tain highways. to supplement Its raj
. road attractions. When the probler
ia met and solved In this state. as
, has been solved In Switzerland. tn
tourist travel to Colorado will be II
!, creased manifold. Switzerland ha
found that mountain highways pay