The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-01-15
ROAD BONDS

taken the right step during the past
year toward the construction of per-
manent road system. Jackson, Clat-
sop, Columbia, Harvey and others have
voted issues Of bonds for the contsruc-
tion Of highways of which the state
will be proud. The value received
fiom money properly spent on good
roads is hard to estimate. Where fusds
are wasted in improper construction or
on heavy overhead expenses, reac-
tion against one of the country's great
est needs is created. But the day Of
mufeasance in the expenditure Of bond
issues is just about over and we think
that the counties of Oregon are going
to get o dollars worth of road for
every dollar expended.
A bond issue for good roads has been
discussed in Hood River county. Un-
der the existing laws less than $3.50, 900
worth of bonds can be issued. and
sum Of this proportion is not too large
for the Hood River valley. The bond
issue has been opposed by some on the
score that the money would be used in
the construction of the Columbia river
highway. We do not think the county
would make a mistake in issuing bonds
to build its portion of the scenic high
gay. But We do think 1t will be better
to submit to the vote of the people an
iseus that will care for the Columbia
rivar road and the other trunk lines OF
tB Apple valley at the same time.
IL the Colambia river hishway is not
goias 10 benefit the H0fd River valley,
ht's forover closs the matter and say
no more atDut it. But who is going to
tus 90 blind as to think that the road
will bs Of no benefit? No man can sin
onrely soy that the Highway is not GO
ng to be benefit. When constructed.
1t vill be one of the gret st assets of
the district. 1t will not only be bene-
fetal in that it will bring In thousands
of automobile tourists, yes thousands,
but 1t will give those citizens of the
county residing at Wyeth and Cascade
Locks a wagon road to their county
seat.
The survey for the Columbia high
way will soon be complete. Work
shonld be begun soon on the actual
construction. The road ought to be
opened next yenar, vhen the Pacific
coast country will have such flock OF
tourists as have never before visited
the region. While no citizen should
vote too hastily'for bond issue, an
early action on an issue for Hood River
county should be taken, that fund
may be made available to carry on the
rosui york down the river.
And as to valley roads. they should
not be forgotten. The valley ranchers
should have good roads to and from
their property. You viii find many
dismned to oppose the building of the
Columbia river road until they have
better iSeak through the orchard belts.
, and 1t is only fair that this should be
taken into consideration. The bond is
sue should be made to- include, funds
for such purposes.
Others will be found opposing any
kind of bond issue, preferring to build
roads OF temporary nature from year
to year by general county tax levies
and by special levies. But look at the
situation squarely and this will be
found not to be economical. Where
roads have been laid out over accept
able grades, trunk lines of perma-
nent right of way, they should be built
permanently. An example of perma-
nence may be found, and its advan-
tages of economy, in the construction
Of the Hassam concrete .pavements in
the city last year. What would have
been the result had the city merely
made temporary improvements? Sup
o pose the streets had merely been grav-
eled or little crushed rock had been
thrown over the streets? In d years s
time the thoroughfares would have
been in a state that would have aroused
the disgust of every one. As it is, the
streets are permanent, the cost of
maintenance is made practically nil.
and highways that will be a source of
pride for decades have been con-
structed.
Let's see bond issse voted. Let's
get dollars worth of road for every
dollar of money expended. and we will
be satisfied.
---~----------------- -