The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-07-10
IN RESTRAINT OF TRADE

Brookings needs no Sherman law
interstate commerce act, or other
sumptuary legislation to make a fuss
about as being in restraint of trade,
when the highways leading into the
city are in such condition that the
normal rural traffic of the city is cut
down to the extent il has been during
the last thirty days. We are not alone
In this respect, of course, as other
cities are having the same kind Of
trouble. but in our case it seems that
some movement should be made to
see that this does not occur again
OF course we may be accused of be-
ing selfish about this and dog.in-the-
mauger when we protest at the trade
that is naturally ours, going 10 other
towns. But il is one of the legti
mate provinces of a newspaper to
arouse civic action TO a point where
I: viii act tor the coed o: Tic city,
its commerce and its people. Further,
this is the county seat, where citizens
from all over the county are compelled
10 come at times TO transact neces-
sary business. II is our duty, as resi-
dents of that county seat, to urge the
proper attention to the highways so
that all may enjoy the same privileges
in coming to the county capital, II
the condition of the roads is attribu-
table TO the wanderings of the Sioux
Ill.
ton toward the control OF the Sioux,
the draining OF the land over which
ii meanders. or such other means as
seems feasible to make the highways
OF the county passable at all times,
We have heard men say in the past
few weeks that soft roads with gravel
tops would never be sufficient to make
the roads safe at ell times. We have
heard them say that we must have
hard roads, built on solid foundations.
These remarks bring back to mind
the appeal the Register has made for
a bond issue to make our highways
right. The newspapers tell US that.
Minnehaha county is getting busy on
their big bond proposition. That they
are planning roads that will give all
the inhabitants free access 10 ali parts
of the county, The towns of the coun'
ty are not lighting it, as they recog-
nize that the county seat must be made
approachable to all within the county
borders. They recognize that there
must be strong highways, like hands,
connecting the various sections. We
are faced by a big problem. And
though that be true, it Is no reason
why we shall sit placidly by and see
nothing done to correct the disad-
vantages that nature has saddled upon
us. What we need Is action, concerted
action by all the inhabitants of the
county. to make the highways safe, to
make them permanent, Another city
may have a little temporary prosper
ity on account OF this present condi-
tion of the roads. but no one believes
them so narrow and short-sighted as
to wish that this present condition be
made permanent, Their prosperity de-
pends on the growth of the county,
not on the local prosperity of any one
town or city. We are strictly ag-
ricultural community Our farms are
valuable because of their fertility and
the market facilities. If we neglect
these facilities for the disposing OF
the products of these farms, then TIE
farmer will have no use for this sec
ton as a home and place of indus
try. but viii be seeking some other
portion of the state where he is pro-
yided with safe and >proper facilities
for the transportation of his products.
This is no theory that confronts us,
hut an actual condition. We cannot
change IL by eloquent addresses,
smooth talk or magnificent promises.
We must get busy. We learned, or
hone so. during the late war, that the
time for preparation was before war
wassimmediate. The time to prepare
for had roads is when those same
roads are good. From the expressions
Of opinion heard in all quarters of the
county. Il seems that men are alive
m the needs of the occasion. What
IL needed is action. Who will make
tha first move? Who will start this
nrogram? The chance is widely open
for our county commissioners, under
The generous highway law, to adopt
! system Of highways that will place
Brookings County at the head OF the
nrocsssion. that will make her lands
the most valuable in the whole state
and viii give our citizens the kind
~ highways and transportation IA.
cslities to which they are entitled and
snr which they certainly are hoping
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