Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1920-03-12
FRIDAY, MAR. II, 1920
VOTE THE BONDS

+ would be an extremely short-sghted policy to do
i otherwise than vote for the county bonds at the
election called for April 10th next. This is no
argument against economy, either when we consider
the question from all angles. In the first place. we
have all come to appreciate what good roads mean
to country, county community. Good roads
mark the difference between living close together in
one extensive community and ranching in the sage
brush. The question which concerns us most is not
how far" are our settlements apart, as how long"
apart they. Good roads and the automobile prac-
tically annhilate distances So that convenience
at home as saving in freight rates. and in and
tear and upkeep Of vehicles. and in horsepower,
both of animals and of machines every argument is
in favor of good roads, and the argument is cinched
by past experience based upon the progress thus far
made in this direction.
Considering the question in little broader APP
phcation, we view the effect that good roads along
the Arrowhead Trail will have on tourist travel, and
it is easy to figure that every dollar expended upon
this highway will return to again, multiplied sew
era fold before the bonds mature and are paid The
tourist business over the Arrowhead Trail and the de-
velopmen of the scenic attractions OF this section are
among our most valuable resources but without good
roads they must remain locked in chest unused
and devoid Of profit. Good roads and adequate no
tel accommodations will make them at once available
and immensely profitable. 1t is up to Iron county to
see that her portion of the road is placed and main
tanned in the best possible condition Then we must
remember that own folk are different to those
of other localities and fast they are able they
like to tour with their cars and visit other cities and
pleasant places. Good roads to go and come are
the first essential
Then take the Lund- Cedar City road Think of
our experiences the past winter in getting mail.
press and freight over it, and even of the hazard of
making the journey to the railroad ourselves. Do
we want this condition to maintain another season.
Not if we know the temperament of the people And
right now, what do we find? We find that the freight
are compelled to petition the Utilities Commis-
sion for raise in rates, and this raise is made inn
perative by reason of the condition of the road
good portion of the tme-n the winter on account
of the mud and bog holes, in summer account OF
the deep beds of fine dust. With good surfaced
road which would insure hard smooth road in
practically all weather conditions the old rates would
be ample-po possibly might be reduced.
We feel safe in saying, then, that good roads are
a good investment; that they are worth the money.
Very well. Now let consider what becomes OF
the money we are going to expend for good roads.
and where does it come fromp 10 begin with when
the roads are surveyed and properly laid out they
will be advertised for bids and the work will be let
to the lowest and best responsible bidder There is
no reason in the world why the contract cannot be
obtained by local company and the work performed
almost entirely by residents of the county, keeping
the Dulk OF tne money at nome. mus we Will nave
the improvement which is shown to be we'll worth
the money it will cost and in addition we will have
the money Nor is this ALL According to the sched-
ue worked out by the County Commissioners and the
Road Commissioner. it is proposed to expend con-
siderably more than half a million dollars on the
roads of this county, less than onefouth of which is
to be raised in Iron county by the sale of bonds the
other three-fourths and over comes from the State
and the Federal government
Now. when the State and Federal roads depart
ment have signihed their willingness to match more
than three-fourths of the necessary money against
Iron counys one-fourth. for the improvement of the
roads within the county, what sort of fnancierng
would it be on our part to refuse to vote the bonds
to raise our small portion of the monevp