The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-09-29
Letters to the
Editor
INK PALACES or
nm: C.ARI.YON BILL

AXWI4 A-AOashVs<
rd,sor The starr The proposal TO
Ind the state for $50. 100000 a. pro
vsn,d IN the cariyon bill. to be known
- Referendum No. At the general
action November 9. contains pro
v,a1pns ana omissions Of grave dan
~ to the orderly. economical con
nvpct,on Of state highways. The
unnise set forth In tho bin u
nnre, and cannot be fulfilled.
n the parable. where Jesus was
ormpted Of the devil. we read; Again
- dsvrl taketh Him UP unto an
ceosedsns high mountain. and show
- Kim all the kingdoms OF the
ourid. ana the glory of them. and
mvpth unto him. all these thinss
Ujll I give Thee II Thou VIII Tau
owu ana worship me-"
= n II with the provisions OF the
E>riyon bill. They have set up on
n1nnacle the promise TO hard surface
1xie miles OF state highway. te
&~mpt'' the electorate November :
chen as a matter of fac, known &c
An there could not be more than hall
nt unileage hard surfaced for $50.
~ 900. as provided IN the bill. and
~ the promise could not be full
1lod. no more than Satan's promise
AL the kingdoms OF the earth.
- ~ a.
Il viii be seen the cost per miis
- nearly doubled since the projeci
- first conceived. and that what
~ chance may have once existed
o prouise has faded away. and ir
= went could there possibly be lit
" over half the promised mileage
uod BY the expenditure of shi,
80 900. Nor Is this all. We al
nuw Il this measure becomes ia~
- the bonds can BE- sold. the At
nDe to increase construction would
lit In an enormous advance In
1no of material and would requirv
hres outlay for additional ma
01nery. Herein ues . very ssrtoui
ooe<ton 70 the bnl auossc Ths
noo highway board shall have pcv
\ ~ . provide for the Furnishing b
- stats Of tools. machinery. sup
- o. material for such WORK" II
- words. the highway board MAJ
G>nko . dummy bidder.
Ut this by no means b an IN
0ncetDn 70 the bin. This sams seo
n & ! qlote: '-Contracts for tn
tDeFuction and Improvement d
- trunk line Highways shall ttht
uDGElAce 10 mins) be let by the stat
rAWay board To the lowest and
~ responsible bidder or bidders.
~ there v no provision requirinI
\ ~ hoard to exact . deposit with I
~ - for the execution Of . bons
~ ths fuifillment Of the contract. =,
UEUvided In our general laws govern
~ similar transactions TO safcguar,
~ interests Of the state.
5 Section I Of the bill provides tia
- construction work shall 10 IN
- possible. be commenced In differ
Gne sections Of the state at approx
uInfe1y the same time and carries
~ simultaneously until al the work 4
oonplsted--
This sentence. -untf1 an the wori
= completed" 10 In keeping with tn,
uGomise ~ previously noted. not pos
o11oG Of fulfillment. and would ieav'
1pe1afed short sections Of hardsur
1neod highway. part Of which woul,
- IN unimproved and almost un
Stipulated sage brush plains Of tn
Columbia basin.
TO Illustrate the absurdity Of thi
Nothod Of legislative contract. voter
Gnould be reminded OF one inciden
- construction Of six miles Of roas
- the so-calied Mcclellan Pass
GDven years ago. At q cost OF $50, 900
4n4 never has q wheel been turnes
- Il. and never will be, and In Jun,
- the present year II was coveres
~ 10 feet Of snow.
Until there has been q traffic sur
~ Of the whole system OF the stat,
highways there should not be hap
lard hard surfacing Of any, other
We squandering Of public none,
VIII surely follow as above noted.
II u up to the voters to "A,
whether this, not only probable. bu
peesible result should follow. eithe
one or the other; or otherwise diver,
ing the annual 100000 licens
fond into the redemption fund i'm
possible TO use, and reduce construs
tDn work To that extent for At leas
Two years. and probably for a ionge
period Of time.
EZRA MEEKER.
Seattle, Wash.