The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-05-21
THE COLUMBIA ROAD AGAIN

The proposed bonds for the compile
tion Of an open way over the Columbia
river highway is again a live issue with
local people. A proposed road bond
has been talked now for over year,
and yet the talk has never developed
any definite action. Citizens have
talked for the bonds and others talked
against them, and old Father Time has
moved steadily along. The matter has
never reached even the verge Of 4 So
luton.
The matter of bonding the county for
the opening of the Columbia river
highway rests absolutely with the peo-
pie. We think there is sufficient sup.
port of such proposed issue among
the citizens Of the county to at least
justify the calling of an election to
settle the matter. If the electors of
the county then see tt to vote an issue
sufficient to open the scenic highway,
then we'll and good, and if not. then
we'll and good. also. But why not call
an election and settle it?
Viewing the situation in an unbiased
manner. the Glacier has always favored
the opening Of the Columbia river high
way. We do not mean that the county
should go to the expense of cutting out
the highway on the state survey its
entire length. Such a problem is i'm
possible for the county of Hood River.
But the county can. if the people see
fit, by the expenditure of sum not to
exceed $75, 900 open the way, and make
it possible for motorists from Portland
and the outside world to reach the val
ley in their own vehicles. We know
that many of the community's best cit
liens interpose the objections that the
any money is expended on highway
leading from outside districts Their
arguments are worthy of the deepest
consideration. But can We afford to
wait? While our local roads, highly |
improved, will be a great asset to US.
for a moment consider the asset Of
having the Columbia river road opened
next year, when thousands of motoring |
tourists will visit the Pacific coast.
The future growth of the Hood River
valley depends on the efforts that we
make in interesting wealthy people |
seeking home locations in a community |
that offers the attractions that may be
found on every hand here. These pros
pective homeseekers are not going to
come into the community and build the |
road for US, at least they will not open
the route, .and yet If we have an un-
broken route, although it may not be
hard-surfaced, many will come in over
such a. thoroughfare and, seeing the
possibilities of its future conveniences,
will cast their lots and help with fu-
ture improvements.
Unless the route is opened before
next year. the Hood River valley will
in all probability remain isolated, in so
far as the Columbia river highway is
concerned, for number of years. If
opened at once. we feel justified in pre-
dieting that it will soon be pushed to
completion by the state, as state
highway The road is in fact a state
road. and as such should be permanent
ly improved and maintained. Indeed, |
this must and will be the logical evolu-
tion in the construction of the highway. |
If we have started the work of opening
the present impossible stretches be-
tween here and the Multnomah county
line, work that should be we'll on
toward completion by the time the leg
isIature meets, the states legislative
body should be inclined to lend assist
ance next winter.