The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-08-14
A HEARING was held at the cour

A HEARING was held at the court
house in this city yesterday by the
State Legislative Committee on the
relocation of the Federal and State
Trunk highway system leading across
BAYFIELD, county. The temporary route
as is now being used as the state trunk
system lies north of the Northern Pa
cific tracks running west through the
town of Barksdale. This road was con-
structed by the town of Barksdale
without one cent of expense to the
county, state or federal government,
except maintenance, and much work
is being done at the present time by
the town of Barksdale in order to put
this road in the best possible condi-
ton. but for some unaccountabie rea-
sen the State Highway Commission
favors changing this route and throw
mo it south of the Northern Pacific
tracks and leading into the city of
Ashland.
Ashland seems to be taking a great
er interest in this road, which is who'll
" within Bayfield, county, than it does
in roads which are entirely within
Ashland county. They displayed
like interest in the road leading a.
round the head of the bay which cost
Bayfield, county nearly 100000 to con-
struct in order to shorten the dis
lance from the Nash settlement just
270O feet. Now they are endeavoring
to get another road through Bayfield,
county leading directly into Ashland
at the expense of Bayfield, county, the
state and federal government
The Ashland Auto Club has passed
resolutions favoring this change and
Ashland residents are likewise TAX
ing undue interest in this Bayfield,
county highway and we are wonder
ing if the citizens of this county are
again to find themselves asleep while
this is being slipped over.
In the resolutions passed by the
Ashland Auto Club they rave about
the hills on the present route ten as
being impossible but they seem to
forget that the same kind of hills ard
gulleys will be found south of the
Northern Pacific tracks, but these Telt
away in, the distance if the road can
only be built to lead toward Ashland.
Route number ten leads directly a
cross Bayfield, county. This road is
now built in good shape for a distance
of twenty miles, and the remaining
distance is in good condition for ira
vel The proposed route has not even
been laid out and to construct this
highway means that the present one
will be partially abandoned while Bay
field county dumps its funds into a
new road leading through almost i
dentically the same kind of territory
Route number tewenty-four COM
ing up the western part of the state
through Bayfield, county leads direct
ly into Ashland but yet that city is not
satisfied, but they now want numoer
ten TO De COISJIuCJ0O 81 JIlS1I IL III
also cut through the county and lead
into that city.
So far as the hearing goes it might
just as well not have been held, for
with the State Highway Commission
already favoring the change it is very
doubtful if the people of Bayfield, couss
ty will have ghost of show in hav-
ing what they desire in the way If
roads.
In the matter of road construction
the state holds the whip hand and has
for number of years but we, with
others, are beginning to feel like tell
ing them to ego to-" and then go
ahead and spend our money where we
think it will do the most good for Bay
field county.
We dislike having others decide for
us where to build our highways wien
we have to foot the bill