The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1915-02-18
George Columbia Of Florence
Gives His Views Concerning
Proposed Cripple Greek Auto Road

In the first place can see no rea-
son for discussing the proposition at
this time. for understand that the
cities OF Canon and Florence were ad-
vssea by some very able attorneys
that under the laws of Colorado the
r. & C. c. should be rebuilt by the
company, the case has been started
through the courts and am inform
ed by men who are familiar with the
case, that the proceedings. SO far. are
even more favorable than at first an
ticipated. II there we're reasonably
good grounds for starting the suit to
enforce the law. there should be the
best of reasons for continuing the
same now, after half OF the battle has
been won. for that reason consider
the discussion OF an auto road to be-
premature at this time.
/ understand that the Florence and
Cripple Creek railway company has
received from the people Of Fremont
county something near $4,000 for the
purpose Of building and maintaining
railway from this valley into the
Cripple Greek district. and can see
no justice in forfeiture by the rail-
way company. Of that understanding.
because they may have created a
more profitable way Of handling the
business. which seems to be q tact
since the Florence and Cripple Creek
the commission would take into con-
company took d lease on the Short
Line railway from Colorado sprIngs.
and / believe the courts win protect
The people who granted charter and
money in good faith for the mainten-
ance OF that railway. and feel that
~e have a good cause. good hopes.
and should have the courage. to pro-
coed to the end of The suit
Regarding the anto road. md
many important things that should be
considered. We have the state ensin-
eer's estimate OF cost to be about $sa.-
900. Il the railway aouation Of s15.opc
should ali come to Fremont county,
which the people Of Teller county
might object to when The time came.
to uEe IL. we would have to raise ST.
600 in Fremont county for eonstruc-
ton. and II seems to me that II would
be unwise at this time to depend upon
getting any considerable donation
from the State Highway commission.
because have failed to learn of any
DEFINITE proposition from them as to
how much they were sure OF. that
would be available for that particular
project
think when l; comes to the point
Of spcndinE State HieAuay funds. that
sideration cost. shorter mileage TO
serve the greater number Of people.
cost OF upkeep. and the generai neces-
sity. In view Of those points there
Is a strong probability that they
would decide upon the Four Mile
road from Canon City to Cripple
Greek. II being about ten miles short
er in distance from ccnters OF popu-
iation than the proposed phantom Can
on road. and | am convinced that II
could be made n good road for less
money. AS convenience. the produc-
ers OF this valley. the majority of
which are adjacent to Canon City
would With just cause. demand that
the shorter route be made.
I am not overlooking the import.
ance and needs Of the eastern part OF
Fremont county by any means. for my
interests are Identical with theirs.
but am sincere IN the belief that the
Highway sommisnion would mot con-
stract and maintain two parallel
roads from Canon city 70 Cripple
Greek when they learned from investi-
1
man ., sondsrful tact and = leader