The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-02-17
GOOD CHANCE To
SECURE HIGHWAY
ROAD ROUTE WILL
BE DECIDED ON MERITS OF
COUNTRY-SIDES
LOCAL BOOSTERS JUBILANT
FEEL CERTAIN STEARNS AND
TODD WILL FIND FAVOR
WITH COMMISSION

Prospects are becoming rosy-hued
that the Jefferson Highway-the pro-
posed trans-cOntinental auto road be-
tween New Orleans and Winnipeg
will take the ST. Cloud-Sauk Centre
Long Prairie-W adena route towards
the National Park in the northern part
OF the state and in consequence pass
through this city and region.
The prospect is deemed rosy-hued
because DR.. j. A. Dubois waited on
the State Highway Commission on
Friday of last week and received as
surances from the members of that
body that before definite decision of
route was made the members of the
commission would await until spring
when road conditions would permit
of travel and personally inspect all the
routes proposed and suggested. Be-
lieving that honest study of all con-
ditions could not result in anything
but decision in favor of the Sank Cen
tire route, local workers are jubilant.
1t will be remembered that the rout-
ing of the Jefferson Highway came
before the state board at its December
meeting. Little Falls and other towns
on the east side of the Mississippi
river were present in force. Because
of misunderstanding, Stearns and
Todd counties did not put in an ap-
pearance and the commission tenta-
lively routed the highway through
Little Falls.
Because of the same misunder-
standing, which resulted in Stearns-
Todd misrepresentation at the De-
cember meeting, the commission re-
opened the hearing and invited rep
resentatives from all regions interest
ed to attend the January meeting of
the cody Stears.s and Todd coulztieS
responded with overwhelming delega-
lions and the arguments of DR.. j. A.
Dubois of this city, Rudolph Lee of
Long Prairie and others were irresti-
BILE as compared with the arguments
presented by those champiOning the
Little Falls route.
Because of the arguments advanced
by this section the commission abro-
gated their former tentative decision
but announced that it would defer def
mite decision. Now comes the an
nouncement that decision will not be
made until all routes have been ira
versed. Stearns and Todd counties are
more than willing that decision
should be left to the merits of the diff
ferent routes, feeling that the splendid
farming regions traversed, the pre-
sent splendid roads and general road
side environment, in comparison with
those of rival routes, should win the
decision for Stearns and Todd counties
IN canter.
At a meeting of the Commercial
Club last Friday night, President
Cooper told of hurried organization
of the Steams-Todd forces when It'd
ings came from the highway commits
sion that it desired to hear from this
section if it had any claims to advance
toward securing the road. He had
hurriedly appointed a committee OF
seven, he said, and these Joined the
various delegations which were as
hurriedly formed in other towns along
the proposed Stearns-Todd route be-
tween St. Cloud and Wadena.
Mr.. Cooper then asked Mayor j. N.
McGibbon to report for the committee.
Mr.. McGibbon stated that the move
on the committee was made by about
200 delegates; that it was one of the
most enthusiastic punches of dele
gates he had ever seen; that they
boosted their region from lakes to
silos and gave credit to DR.. Dubois
and Rude Lee for the banner
speeches. In fact, McGbbon said that
DIR. Dubois speech was the best he
had ever heard him make. In the end
the club decided to recommend to the
city council that the council pay half
the actual expenses incurred by the
Sank Centre delegates for their trip,