White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-03

comparatively small cost. and what
Is vitality important at this time. it
Will be saved at least a year of hard
III expensive work. because this
splendid foundation for it has been
built. Speed in construction is the
all important thing to be considered
now.
| am not advocating the building of
particular roads to the exclusion of
Others in this state. We need several,
and | sincerely hope they will be built
Both branches of the Lincoln high
way should be built, but today We
are discussing the Overland trail road
and We must bend all our energies
TO assisting it. Its quick completion
is necessary and will stimulate the
building of others, and will be a dis
tinct advantage to every section of
the state. 1t is a matter of state
pride to have it done. The argu-
ments in favor of 1t are based on
rational safety and military necessi-
ty. and these overshadow all others,
so every man. woman and child in
the state should get behind II with
all the enthusiasm and force at their
command.
State Has Funds for Roads
Certain moneys are and hereafter
will be available from our state and
the government for road building in
Nevada, and the state authorities are
planning certain important work with
this money. but only a part of 1t can
be used on. the main transcontinental
roads because of the postal provision
in the law appropriating this money.
What work can be done from these
funds Is q mere drop in the bucket
In comparison to what should be done
to make our highways across the
state fit for military purposes. 1t
will take years and years to complete
this work by the state under the
present program, which is a splendid
step in advance and deserving of high
commendation. but the safety of our
country cannot be jeopardized by
waiting. Our state cannot be blam-
ed for this condition that exists. The
work the state can do should be con-
fined to the important lateral roads
If the government builds the main
highways. There are miles enough
or important ones to keep the state
busy for many years with the money
1t will have for this purpose. We
have all travelled across our state in
automobiles, and some of us many
times. We have managed to get
across in spite of the condition of
the roads, but remember. we were
in light cars with plenty of power to
get US over the bad places.
Government Necessity
This problem of building transcon-
tinental highways has been complete
~ reversed because of the war. Here
tofore It has been one largely of state
economic interest. Now 1t Is n of
government necessity and safety, and
l will go farther and tell you that 1t
Is one of the things demanded of us
in the interest of the freedom and
safety of the world.
We owe it to our allies to do this
as we'll as ourselves. Imagine what
would happen if some unlocked for
change should come in the military
situation necessitating the quick
movement of troops. artillery and
equipment across the highways of our
western states, such as has occurred
Unexpectedly in France, Italy, Russia
Rumania, Servia and other countries
recently. where thousands of heavily
loaded motor trucks with as much as
Is tons weight on the rear axles
we're required to be driven at ire
mendous speed over their highways.
and suppose, as is possible, that the
issue of the war should hang on this
movement. We would find ourselves
disastrousiy crippled and unprepared.
and we would have to face defeat
with It's awful consequences. We
would have to stand In disgrace be-
fore our allies and the world and ad-
nit that we are the only country In
the world which calls itself civilized
which has failed to prepare for such
an emergency. Does any American
citizen dare face such an overwhelm-
ing world charge of criminal neglect
of duty as would be everlastingly
hurled at us by n ruined and outrag-
ed world, If by u neglect the aus
We are fighting for should be lost?
| say most emphatically. no.