Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-11-16
STATE HIGHWAY WILL
Be IMPROVED SOON
J. H. Albert Talks On Subject
to Woman's Roseburg
Woman's Club
{ Roseburg Review.)

Pacific Highway which will merit
that designation, the improvements to
consist of wdened grade, the eimina-
ton of curves and steep ascents, and
the Surfacing Of the entire route with
substantial and lasting material, was
mentioned here by a, prominent author
ity today as a probable accomplishment
for this state in road building within
the next four years.
Before the end of the new admin
istration,' said the authority, "the
final steps will be under way and a
highway through the state that will be
a credit to the nation will be a reality
a short time thereafter The author
of the remark was j. II. Albert, of Sa-
lem, a member Of the state advisory
board on road construction, and one of
the best informed advocates of good
roads in Oregon. Mr. Albert arrived in
Roseburg with his wife last evening and
this afternoon delivered an address ON
his 'favorite topic before the '95 Mental
Culture club at the Presbyterian
church.
Because of motor traffic." said
Mr.. Albert, ga permanently improve
ed highway will soon he an almost
dire necessity. Gasoline has come to
be the cheapest motive power obtain
able for transporting goods on a short
haul, and for this reason motor traffic
will soon demand to compete with the
railroads on the most travelled highway
through the state. In experiments per-
formed last year near Salem we proved
the economy of the gasoline driven ear
and consequently have undenable data
to back up our conclusions. This was
proved by transportation of the berry
crop there over distance of 20 miles.
Not only were many steps in the pro-
cess of handling the berries dispensed
with but the fruit also arrived in better
shape and without delays. 1t was con-
| siderably more satisfactory than the old
way of shipping the berries by train. "
/ In addition to explaining the meth
Ods Of securing u permanently imprOV-
ed highway north and south, Mr.. Albert
also discussed the proposed route from
Roseburg to Coos Bay upon which he
was prepared to talk after making Il
thorough investigation here of the pro-
ject.
"This route connecting the interior
of Douglas county with tide water is
even more important to this section
than the route along the Pacific high
way declared Mr.. Albert. "The
products of Douglas county will find
their best tidewater markets over this
/ route and it will also prove the shortest
route to the coast from any interior
| part of the state. The cheapness of the
traffic from the operation of motor
| trucks will make this road an economy
also, and the route should be improved
as soon as possible AS to the method
of obtaining the road, Mr.. Albert said
this was a question up to the county of
ficials and the people. He believed with
the increased value of farms along the
road and the consequent building up of
fruit, dairy and other industries along
the way it would be Il paying invest
ment, and return the taxes within a
! short time, that would be expended to
/ build it.
! Mr.. Albert was also of the opinion
| that the work ON the state highway
would be begun within a few weeks, a
man now being expected at Salem to
/ have charge of the expenditure of the
first apportionment from the govern
ment made under the Shackleford bill
| for the aiding of various state projects.
| He said the bill provided for 81 100000
which must be met by corresponding
appropriation by the state, making So
| 100000 that may be used to con
struct the improved road. He be
lieved this was the proposition for the
state to undertake rather than the coun'
lies, and that the state would use the
entire amount ON the Pacific highway
The bill will make $4,000 available by
next June, and the remainder will be
| distributed over the next four years
The grading will be done first and later
the Surfacing.
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert stopped al
the Umpquo and after this afternoon =
meeting left for the south, intending tt
return TO Salem tomorrow. Although
n business man with many interests, Mr.
Albert has been identified with the GOOD
roads movement for the past so years
and believes he will see the accomp
hshmcnt of the projects which mean tC
him moro than any other ambition. He
is making the present trip at his owl
expense, aS in the case of many Others
by which he has gained wonderful
knowledge of the various roads in this
state.