The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-04-25
MOSCOW DID HER DUTY.

MOSCOW DID HER DUTY.
By a vote of almost 10 to one the
people of Moscow highway district
showed that they favor better roads
for this section of Idaho, at the bond
election Thursday. The vote in the
district was 1901 for and 100 against.
All but two of the opposing votes
were cast in Moscow, which shows
that the farmers are for the improve
ment of roads, almost to a man. In
Viola, strictly farming precinct, the
vote was SO for and / against. In
Joel, the other farming precinct, the
vote was 18 for to l against.
The opposition to the bonds was
due, in same measure, to a misun-
derstanding. The writer talked with
= prominent farmer who was opposed
to the bonds because he had been mis-
led. He was firm in his belief that
the money from the sale of the bonds
would all be used for the state high
way. When he learned that it was
all to be used to improve roads in
the country Immediately surrounding
Moscow, Viola and Joel, he favored
the bonds, but half of the opposition
came from well-meaning persons who
were misinforfhed as to the uses to
which the money would be put. The
remainder of the opposition came
from people who generally oppose
any public improvement and fear that
every man who is in favor of prog
ress is CRATER" as one of the
leading opponents of the bonds put
it Thursday.
The victory for the bonds was one
of the most important victories that
Moscow and Latah county have ever
gained. This county and town have
been highly favored by the state and
federal governments in providing
funds for the university and expert
ment station. Both of these govern
ments are urging the building of bet
ter roads. Both are appropriating
money for this purpose. Had Mos
COW failed in her plain duty Thurs
day it would have been regarded by
the federal and state government as
showing an utter lack of apprecia-
ton of our obligations and our duty.
But this is not all. There are five
other highway districts in Latah |
county that have been waiting to "see
what Moscow will do Had the bonds |
J;ctr fo+ ,i,,fr
five districts already formed, would
not have held elections, and road
building in Latah county, outside of |
Eenesee district which has already |
voted bonds, would have been killed. |
for time, at least.
Now we can safely predict bond |
Issues in each of the remaining five |
districts of the county, and a gen
eral campaign of road building never
known in Northern Idaho will be set
been regarded as a Cow county" in
the strictest sense of the odious term,
will emerge from that class and with
In few years will lead almost every
county of the state in good roads, as
II leads in wealth, in quality Of soil
and in many natural advantages.
"a "a -
Now that the bonds have carried
one Of the first roads to receive at
tention should be the one leading to
Idler's rest at the foot of Moscow 4
mountain. No road in the country
will be travelled more than that road
If it is properly repaired. During the
summer season scores of automo- 7
mobiles come from Pullman, Colfsx, a
Palouse, Genesee, Lewiston and other a
places and go to Moscow Mountain {
on Sundays. This can be made
great summer resort for picnic parties
if the roads are made good so that tt
cars can reach the mountain at all a
times. Many Moscow people have e.
homes at the foot of the IL
mountain. Mr. Semmes, the road ct
supervisor made the statement yes lie
,erday that he has seen as high as b.
10 automobiles pass over that road n;
n two hours and he, like many others re
believes the number would be doub- n;
ed or trebled if the road were ma SC
and two steep hills grad
ID down. Bringing people from other
owns to spend Sunday near Moscow re
will help the town to a great extent. tit