The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-07-06
JEFFERSON TRAIL
CHANCES ARE GOOD
STEARNS-TODD COUNTY ROUTE
SCORES SPLENDIDLY WITH
OFFICIAL INSPECTORS
ROAD TO WADENA IS PERFECT
HIGHWAY BETWEEN HERE AND
MELROSE BEST TRAVERSED
IN 13OO-MILE TOUR,

Developments during and since the
| trail-viewing trip of the jefferson
Highway officials through Northern
Minnesota last week confirm the Oft
expressed contention of the Herald
that Sank Centre has more than a
fighting chance to become station on
the New Orleans-Winnipeg boulevard.
1t is conceded that the stretch be-
tween Sank Centre and Wadena is the
only stretch of considerable length
that scored 100 per cent. Also that
the road between Sank Centre and
Melrose was proclaimed absolutely the
best road the party had travelled over.
Also that the entire stretch between
Sank Centre and Bemidji scored high
est OF any route, being 100 per cent
except for short stretch through
Wadena county.
1t is significant also that at a con-
ference held last Saturday evening at
Brainerd between General Manager
Clarkson of the Jefferson Highway as
ISOLATION and representatives of the
different proposed routes, the spokes-
men for the Moorhead- Crookston
route and the Mile Laos route sug-
gested it would be best to have two
routes and that they should be
through their respective territories.
Representatives of the other routes
| deemed this a weakness on the part
OF those regions in willing to go fifty
fifty. Manager ClaGRson put a ouietus
on the proposal, however, by stating
that under no circumstances would
more than one trunk line be designat-
| ed.
The Stearns-Todd route was the
only route on which the party was
able to maintain better than schedule
time. At times more than forty
miles an hour was reeled off with
comfort and safety. On the Staples
Little Falls route it was necessary for
the official car to be pulled out of
quagmires by teams on two occasions.
The officials were scheduled to arrive
in Elk River for supper Friday but
got only as far as St. Cloud by II
o'clock at night and put up until the
next morning there, being honor
guests at banquet served at the Elks
Club after their arrival.
The Mile Laos route was traversed
Saturday and the conditions of the
roads was admittedly surprise. How
ever, this route was travelled only as
far as Brainerd, it being admitted by
the route representative that the
route might now be impossible but
! that roads would be available for auto
traffic within two years.
The inspectors made their second
visit here last Friday morning, reach
ing the city shortly before ten o'clock
after a fast run from Wadena where
Thursday night was passed. In the
official car were Manager Clarkson;
Henry Orme, one of the Minnesota di-
rectors of the association; Engineer
Cullen of the state highway commits
sion; Rudolph Lee, representing the
Stearns-Todd route, and the four rep
resentatives of the other outes.
On the trip into the city the official
car was escorted by'a car represent
ing Sank Centre carrying Asa M. Wall
lace, secretary of Itasca Park Jeffer-
son Highway association, and other
citizens. A whirlwind side trip was
made to the Home School, through
the park, past the school buildings and
library and stopping in front of the
Palmer House 81 minutes after de-
parture from Long Prairie. During
the minute stop Manager Clark
son gave brief but interesting talk
in which he explained the Jefferson
Highway side and expressed surprise
at the splendidness of Northern Min
nesota roads, the beauty of country
and scenery and the wealth of road
building material. He caused consld-
cradle comment.
! When the tour was ended at Brain
erd on Saturday evening the party
had travelled approximately 1900
miles in five days and Manager Clark
son expressed the belief this smashed
all previous records. Before the party
dispersed, Mr.. Clarkson asked all
route representatives to make any
suggestions which came to them and
also invited all the representatives to
submit before Saturday Of this week
a brief of not more than 500 words
setting forth their various claims. Mr..
Lee has already submitted his brief.
1t was also announced by Mr.. Garrison
that q decision on the favored route
would be announced July 10.