The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-05-25

manager ClaTkSOn OIL Cpe JeueISOu
Association would inspect the
Sank Centre-Long Prairie highway,
there would be no question what his
decision would be. He pointed out
that "Bob" Dunn, father Of good roads
in Minnesota, though residing in Prin-
ceton, was not overly enthusiastic
about the proposed Mile Laos route;
that he was more broadly interested
in good roads no matter where they
went.
This brought up the question of how
best to go about bringing the state
highway commission and others in au-
thority to this region to inspect what
we have to offer. He suggested the
organization which was later perfect
ed and also the name of Rudolph Lee
for the presidency. In quick order
all the officers and vice presidents
who will also act as directors were
named unanimously.
Following the election DR.. Senator
P. A. Hilbert and w. S. Bartholomew
urged that every effort be made to
bring St. Cloud in line for the Stearns-
Todd route. Senator Hilbert stated
he was in St. Cloud the day previous
and in conversation with many bust
ness men was told that ST. Cloud
was with Stearns county in the high
way proposition. He added: Lets go
down and tell St. Cloud that they are
a part of Stearns county and not of
Morrison" 1t was on his suggestion
that the run next Friday was arrang-
ed.
President Lee explained to the di-
rectors of the two counties that they
should Immediately get busy-each
county working separately-and place
the existing roads in the best possible
condition for the time when the state
highway commission will make it's
tour of inspection which would prob
ably be in a few weeks. He explained
that the Todd county board of COM
missioners had already made an ap-
preparation for this purpose and that
it was up to Stearns county to fix up
it's roads. At caucuses held by the
directors later it was decided that each
director take personal charge of the
road improvement in his own district.
To defray current expenses passing
hat" collection was taken and $107.20
realized.
Mr.. Lee urged early and quick ac-
ton, declaring it was not true that
Little Falls had the route all sewed up
and that Stearns and Todd counties
had good chance to land the trail.
He professed confidence that if the
state commission came here with an
open mind that the highway through
this section was assured. He declar-
ed no need of explaining the value of
the highway to this section, that the
auto tourist invariably gave first
thought to roads and would drive
where he found the best highways.
At the suggestion of Hon. F. E.
Minette the members of the board o.
commissioners of both Stearns and
Todd counties were made honorary
vice presidents of the association.
Hon. w. E. Lee of Long Prairie
promised to give all the aid he could
toward the project. He suggested that
great caravan of cars bearing
Stearns and Todd county residents
proceed to St. Cloud on the day Of the
tour of inspection by the State High
way Commission and accompany that
body all the way along the route to
Wadena.
This suggestion was adopted unan-
imously as we'll as that Secretary
Wallace issue invitations to the gov
ernor, secretary of state, commission
er of emigration, the good roads COM
mission and other state officers as we'll
as Messrs. Beeke, Rowe and eastman
of the National Highway Association,
to become guests of the two counties
on this trip.
Mr.. Lee suggested that stops of five
lage and that residents of the villages,
including the school children, turn out
and greet the visitors. Mr.. Lee argued
that if the villagers along the route
turn out the commission will be con-
vinced that this district really wants
the highway. Each town should Sc
lect speaker to give one-minute
address of welcome.
The speaker stated that he had
travelled over practically every road
in Minnesota and that there was no
stretch of 100 miles anywhere in the
commonwealth that could compare
with the stretch from St. Cloud to
Wadena. He emphasized the fertility
of the soil, diversity of agriculture,
number of red barns, cows with white
faces, villages, hotels and garages as
being superior to any other 1OO-mile
stretch that he knew. He also urged
quick action, inasmuch as the inspec-
ton trips will be made within short
time by the state highway commission
and the two counties should be pre-
pared to meet any date they may set.
In closing the meeting President
Lee urged all the delegates to go
home and boost, assist in putting the
roads in the best possible condition
and to make arrangements insuring
big turnouts when the state commits
sioners pass through their respective
localities. The following resolutions
were adopted as being the sense Of the
gathering:
"The Itasca Park Route for the JEFF