Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1916-08-11
MONTEREY, va, AUGUST II, 1916

propriated eighty million dollars
for aid in building and maintaining
roads throughout the states excltes
but little interest in Highland,
because the mountain region of
which she is a part has never got
4 ten so much as taste from the
"pork barrel" about which we hear
so much. Aside from the COM
paratively small amount approprl-
ated for star route service, this
section of Uncle Sans domain has
cost him little, and we seem salts
fed with the cipher while other
localities take their annual turn at
The barrel. Year after year mill
ions 90 out for the deepening OF
harbors and opening up of rivers
and canals so that uninterrupted
and satisfactory commerce may be
carried on, yet we have, crossing
our mountains, a great inter-sts t.
thoroughfare which is just as much
an artery of trade as any of the
favored waterways. 1t seems that
all that is needed is a "pull," for
, the most insignificant and relatively
3unimportant "interest," receive at
tention: For example, new models
for COW and pigpens in order that
rural sanitation may be promoted;
teaching farmers how to farm; the
eradication of boil weevil and cat
tie tick; to stamp out hog cholera;
to kill chipmunks; to teach how to
pull stumps, and for the cure OF
Wild ducks in Utah which have
become afflicted from the use OF
salt water.
In this age of the world, when a
touring public is seeking the most
attractive routes, with no other
outlet for rich resources and
home population, how does our
claim compare with those enumer-
lated above? If properly presented
md theoretically pressed, doesn't
Il look like the justice and import
ance of the thing asked for could
be impressed on the authorities Of
state and nation?.
n The wisdom of the average lay
man is not supposed to measure
1 up to such things, but,
unless all signs fail and the testi-
mony of tourists be set at naught,
it would be an easy task to enlist
the interest of the motor world, a
most formidable and desirable ally
from an influential and monetary
,s;fewpoint. If the congressman
from,the Virginias whose constit-
ents are directly interested and
touched by the S. & P. turnpike
\ would take the initiative, secure a
! liberal pile, even conditional, then
I would come showdown from state
and counties, largely supplemented,
we believe by rich, enthusiastic
tourists throughout the country.
Is it an idle dream? Look again
at the class of ''interests" and
enterprises receiving large app:opr-
atoms. There is no question as to
Lhe merits of the case, neither is
ehere any doubt as to the ultimate
building of this in refNate highway,
but it seems pity to just fold our
hands and wait the slow grinding
Sf the mills in bringing about the
inevitable, especially in matters of
rogress and material development.
De mouutaineer is so self-satished,
so accustomed to going unnotlced
along many lines that his silence is
Mistaken for modesty and lack of
lterest.
We can only be heard through
ur representative, and if Mr..
lood will take theinitia,ive, secure
he cooperation of other interested
pngressmen what might be done?
Te are frank to admit that we
bn't know. but one thing we do
now, Highland and the tier Of
ountain counties traversed by the
pike have been mighty mex
sive wards of your Uncle Sam
Aksul Percival Gassett, at Mala-