The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-01-22
ROAD BUILDING AS AN AID TO
MINING DEVELOPMENT
We have only one life to live.

hour what formerly took "A day, We
have accomplished great thing.
This is true in all activities OF life
Ii is true in its relation to the mining
industry and the good roads program.
II works equally as true in the devel-
opment of the agricultural and horti-
cultural areas. A concrete case: A.
man who has now the use of paved
road and owns a truck formerly con-
sumed a whole day from his farm to
the market town with his team and
loaded wagon hauling his produce to
the railroad and returning home. He
now makes the round trip in fifty min
utes; and he made it recently, in go
ing after the doctor, in half that time.
And the same applies to the miner
hauling a Load Nof ore to the railroad
He has saved valuable time--the
saving of units of manpower. And
that is the most important of all.
A road building program, with its
relation to the development of new
mines, is fast becoming subject Of
more than passing interest and study
by those who have the real develop
ment of the natural resources Of the
west at heart.
Great national highways now span
the continent. A wave of agitation for
better roads DIS sweeping the country.
The idea of being isolated for months
at time by reason of mud in impass-
able roads will not long be tolerated
by ambitious men who have motor
power available for transportation.
Much stress is laid on the cross
country highways and the value of
such enterprises has become apparent
10 all. Colorado claims that she Is
getting $100,000,00O year from her
auto tourist travel because of pass
able automobile roads.
Oregon claims the most comprehen-
sive road building system of any
state in the union and claims she is
building her roads at lower cost
than amy other state. In ten years
the program there calls for an eX
penditure of $10O,000,O00 on paved
highways; $75,OO0,OOO furnished 10y
the state and counties and $25000,
600 10Y the government. And her
highway commission says it will not
be necessary to levy a direct tax in
the payment by the state of oregon
in its share of this vast sum.
The gas engines will pay the bills,
This great road system will he
free gift to the rest of the people of
the state by the men who use gas
engines. And further, the men who
own the gas engines will make for
themselves great economy in thus
providing the paved highways. They
will travel farther on their gallon of
gasoline and thus more than save the
gas tax, which is less than per cent
of the cost of the gas Then the ex-
ira amount of the license tax is more
than covered by the saving on tires
to nothing of the saving on
every part of the machine And he
saves what is most valuable, time So
1, is a good bargain for everybody
concerned.
AS a result the whole state is be-
ing made over by her great road
building program. There is a new
spirit, a new vision and a new day.
The building of good roads now
adays should need no defense. In
fact. the state or county without such
program is not abreast of the times
or demands of the hour.
Idaho has made good start and |
under the able leadership of men |
like w. J. Hall, state commissioner of |
public works, excellent progress has
been made There is much yet to do
and it calls for the hearty coopera-
ton of every loyal Idaho2n to help
put over a program Of road building
adequate to the demands of every in
dustry in the state.
And while we are building great 4
highways 1t is well to bear in
mind that 1t is the industries within
the state and county that make the
people prosperous and bring values to
the mines, the Forests and the farms.