The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1917-01-18

The resolutions OF the Calu
we'll Commercial Club, opposing
the route of the north and soutf
state highway from Boise tc
New Meadows by way OF the
Payette river and Long valley
which appeared in Wednesdays
Boise papers, contain statements
that are so false and mislead-
ing, so evident of a selfish AMI
mus behind them that takes nc
thought of the public's good
that the Emmett Commercial
club deems it its duty to make
reply and set forth the true
facts.
The fundamental objects OF
national and state highways is
service to the public, not pleas
ure seekers; to make accessible
the vast timber, mineral and
agricultural resources OF the
states, not to promote the self
ish ambitions of any town or
community; to open for travel
those regions that are not at
present provided with roads,
thus inducing the investment OF
capital to develop the resources
of the state and attract settlers
to cooperate with the National
government in developing the
vast timber resources that are
now ripe for the factory and the
rich mines that are already be-
ing developed but lack means of
TRANSPORTATION to make them
profitable to their owners or to
enrich the state. Such a coun-
try is that through which it is
desired by the advocates OF the
Payette valley route to construct
the southern end of the north
and south highway. This route
has been signified by the Nat
ional forest service as prefera-
BILE to any other because it will
more completely accomplish the
fundamental objects of national
and state highways as set forth
above.
1t is 40 miles shorter from Boise
and all points east than the Weiser
valley route.
1t starts from the center of pop
ulation of the state and is the only
practical north and south road
through the central part of the state
when the topography of the country
is considered.
1t is a route that is a never-ending
panorama of scenic beauty, and COM
Portable for travel either in summer
OF winter.
The heaviest construction work on
the route lies through the National
forests and the Forest Service has
signified its willingness to construct
this portion of the road
1t serves as an outlet for three
big road projects which the forest
service has approved for construction
across central Idaho, which at pres
ent contains an area larger than the
state of Connecticut and that is
without any means of transportation
except by pack horse. These pro-
iects which have been approved by
the Forest service are:
The Mccall Warrens road to open
ND the undeveloped timber in the Ida
no forest and the rich mineral re-
sources of the Warrens and Marshall |
Lake districts.
The Cascade Knox -Edwardsburg
road to make accessible the timber
and grazing resources of the forest
and the mineral resources of the Big
Creek and Thunder Mountain Dis
tricts.
The Banks-Lowman-S Stanley Basin
Highway which connects with the
Montana State Highway system by
way of Gibbonsville and passes
through the beautiful Sawtooth Park
country
The Weiser route does not form a
single connecting link with any other
highway and has no feeders.
1t is direct route to the Payette
Lakes, one of Idaho's most beautiful
resorts, and taps the large land hold
ngs of the state around the lakes,
$4,000 acres of fine tim
Der lands.
1t possesses no difficult construc-
ion or engineering feats and is ma
.ural water grade route from En-
nett to Payette Lakes.
Instead of costing some 100000
more to build than the Weiser route,
t can be built cheaper, mile for mile