The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-06-18
THE COLUMBIA ROAD

not yet begun. But il should be graft
flying to the people Of the communit
that solution Of the difficult problem
has been made possible "a solution
that is comparatively easy, if the pro
p0sals that have been made come e
naturalization.
The great bugaboo that has alway.
been before US. when the thought o.
eXpending a heavy sum Of money OF
the Columbia river highway has been
proposed, is the possibility Of making
the expenditure and still be facing the
heavy burden of further work and
maintenance But to look at the mat.
ter now, in an unbiased manner. leav-
ing aside hUrrays and the pleasures
that motorists, both at home and
abroad, will be afforded, 10 size the
situation up from a standpoint Of bust
ness, can Hood River county afford to
turn down the prOiIer of s. Benson,
who makes the guarantee that if .
bond issue Of S75, 600 is voted by the
county, the road will BE- opened and that
the sum expended by the county on the
survey will be returned Looking at the
offer from a business standpoint, not
only for the city, bat the entire valley,
the Glacier feels that we ahould take
advantage of the opportunity offered.
But, as We nave formerly stated, 1t is
question for the people themselves to
decide. We have formerly stated that
there was a sufficient sentiment among
the voters and representative taxpay-
ers of the county to Justify the calling
of an election. This sentiment has
grown in the past few weeks, and the
calling of the proposed election is now
more justified than ever.
That Hood River county will benefit
by the road, no fair minded man. we
think, will deny. But with the small
population and limited area, the ey-
pensive work of construction and the
just as expensive maintenance could
not be undertaken by the county.
While Hood River, on the direct line
of the route, will benefit much, the
state as a whole will be accommodated
by the highway. 1t is a route that the
entire state needs. But Hood River
county should not evidence an inditfer-
ence. In fact, the citizens of the com
munity have not been Indifferent but
the seeming impossibility of present
accomplishment has caused them to
remain quiet. Hood River county has
always been ready to take action. if
the action would bring beneficial re-
suits, and it now seems that local ac-
tiOn with the cooperation of Mr.. Ben
son can bring results, and the results
may be obtained with no more than a
reasonable expenditure on the part of
the county.
What will be the direct and indirect
results Of the road2 Of course, when
the route is opened it will mean that
many motorists will pass through the
city and valley. Hotels and garages
will do an increased business. II will
bring an increase in the number of
skilled laborCrs, needed to conduct
these businesses. This type Of men
are usually married, home builders,
who will help pay taxes of the com
munity. The money spent at these
places of business will be put into cir
culation in the city and valley.
But, as we see it, the biggest beue-
tits will be the indirect ones, if they
should be termed indirect ones. The
opening of the road is going to bring
an influx of prospective home seekers.
New money is needed in the valley,
new funds for further development and
to help carry development that has al.
ready taken place Purchases already
made, the buyers looking toward the
opening of the highway, may be cited.
The Oregon hotel transaction is an ex-
ample. Others will follow.
Then, too, the portion of the county
west of the city, all along the route of
the proposed highway. will be devel-
uped and improved The land of this
district offers ideal home locations,
where beautiful grounds may be made
hy the man looking for spot to erect
q handsome home Garden and truck
patches there will he brought to make
a profitable return.
And the benefit to the Upper Valley
should be taken into consideration.
The opening Of the Columbia river
highway will make Hood River the
gateway TO Mount Hood The resorts
already established will enjoy an in
creased patronage, and we may we'll
look for renewed interest in the up
building and improvement of such
places for the entertainment of tourists.
With the Columbia road opened, a good
road to the Upper Valley will surely
follow.
1t is hut natural that the O-.W. h. &
N. Co. and other large corporations
that pay heavy taxes in the county will
oppose the bond issue. They feel that
they will not benefit in proportion to
thp heavy taXeS tbpy will ha rallad m