Semi-weekly herald., 1913-07-07
REGARDING GOOD ROADS;
WANTS LAWS ENFORCED

Thomas ]. Ehrart is sending out no.
mobile clubs, etc, calling attention to
the general laws of Colorado regard
ing the pollution of streams, defacing
natural scenery, etc. The notice is
timely and the proper authorities
should see that the laws are enforced
La Plata county will expend nearly
fifty thousand dollars on roads this
year, more than the above with the
state funds, and it does seem that
some respect should be shown by the
general public. The Herald has re-
ceived number of complaints lately
because irrigating bitches have been
allowed to overflow and make great
mud holes in the roads and wash
ing out gullies. This should be stop
ped and the commissioners should in
struct the various road supervisors to
enforce the law. We do not desire
to be harsh on the farmer but IL is
for his benefit that the law be en-
forced. We often hear our country
friends complaining of the bad con-
dition of the roads. One farmer will
complain if he gets stuck in mud
hole caused by irrigating bitches while
he is equally guilty of permitting
water to run over the road. Just be
considerate to yourself, to your neigh
bor and the county. YOU are paying
money into the county for the benefit
of good roads, therefore be careful.
The law compels one to repair any
damage to road beds.
Again. we have dozen or more
complaints on hand regarding the driv-
ing of sheep over the public roads.
Two residents of the Animas valley
have been somewhat bitter because we
have not gone for the sheep men. 1t
is not the duty of newspaper to do
this. The complainants say the sheep
are driven close together and thus
knock down all the loose rock on the
side hills. This is quite plain to any
one using the road, especially from
Bakers bridge to lockwood. At con-
siderable expense the road was clean
ed out this spring but it is in "A de-
plorable condition at present owing
to the sheep. One complainant calls
attention to the law which prohibits
any one from throwing stones in the
road and that this applies to the sheep
men who should be made to go over
the road and throw out the rock, stat
ing that in some counties this rule
prevails. One thing is sure, it costs
more to repair roads after sheep have
gone over them than is received from
the owners on account Of taxes.
"The trouble" says one writer to
The Herald, "is that flock of one or
two thousand sheep is punched and
being crowded are compelled to tramp
over the side hills knocking down all
small rocks and many large ones,
making it almost impossible for wag-
ons. If the owners were compelled to
remove the rocks they would soon ar
range to keep their sheep scattered
WV MI ioiiS uiStdlet, Suy luu III Il
bunch so they would be able to keep
in the main Travelled road"
The Herald is simply calling atten-
tion to the complaints received. It
is for the proper officials to act-to
enforce the laws, otherwise why col
lect and spend S35,O0O to $4,000 a
year on roads. Mr.. Ehrhart's letter
follows:
i Denver, Colo, June Il, 1918.
To the Boards of County Commission
ers, Chambers of Commerce, Auto
mobile Clubs and other Commercial
Organizations of Colorado.
Gentlemen:
The Colorado Good Roads associa-
tion at a recent meeting of the exec
utive committee, requested the state
highway commissioner and the advis-
ory board to call your attention to the