The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-06-01
BENSON INVITES
TOURISTS TO STATE

weather conditions were not ideal
for comfort and enjoyment during the
past winter in California" said S.
Benson. who recently returned from
his annual sojourn. "Long spells of
rainfall and continuous cold weather
prevented the recreation and enjoy
ment of outdoor life. Frost did inn
mense damage to orange groves and
other fruit trees. In some districts it
is estimated that rs per cent of the
trees were destroyed. and no district
escaped the blight.
IAN unusually large number of tour
| lists visited southern California during
the winter, and | was fortunate to be
placed in position to meet many of
these travlers, whom | told that their
trip would not be complete if it did not
include Oregon. 1t was difficult to
convince them that accommodations,
and, more important still, the roads of
Oregon, were as good. if not better,
than those of California. ! am quite
confident that tourist travel will be
greater in Oregon this summer than
ever before.
IL am yet keenly interested in road
matters and this interest prompted me
to observe road conditions in my drive
from Los Angeles to Portland. was
surprised to find how rapidly the roads
in California are disintegrating. Main
tenance crews are met frequently,
patching and repairing, and hardly a
mile passes but what the familiar bar
rier is encountered warning motorists
of the danger of damaged road.
"As rapidly as possible all the roads
are being skin coated, that is. half
inch of asphalt is spread over the con-
crete surface, and this coating wears
off so rapidly that it must be renewed
at frequent intervals. The standard
of construction does not seem to be as
high in California as in Oregon. Cal
ifornia collects $4,000, 900 annually in
road funds, and the greater part of
this amount is used in maintenance.
1.-THE Pacific Highway from the state
line to Portland is in fine condition. /
The part of the road that has been
paved is in splendid shape and in no !
instance, except due to lack of proper
drainage, settling of fills or slides, ISL
there any indication of deterioration. 1
In fact the only state road that has
proved failure is the concrete road
between Portland and Hillsboro.
''The roads of Multnomah county
improved in 1915 are a striking in-l
stance of the wisdom of the main
tenance provision. Seventy miles of
roads were paved at that time. and mol
maintenance has been charged against
them during this period. | doubt
whether this same condition prevails
over any 20 miles of roads bearing the
same amount of traffic anywhere in
the United States.
''The short-sighted policy resulting
in the complete blockading of travel
for 100 days on the Columbia River
Highway prompts the conclusion that
the part of it in Multnomah county
should be placed under the supervision
of the state highway department.
Here is an investment of $ll 900. 600
that was absolutely Of no use for more
than three months and the ultimate
cost of opening the thoroughfare would
have been much less if the obstruction
was removed before it resolved itself
into a solid cake of ice. If this part
of the highway we're in charge of the
state, many curves would be elm
mated, and the road would be widened
obstructed by overhanging cliffs and
projecting rocks.
~ regret that the Albany Corvallis
road was not placed on the state high
way system, as it would then be inn
proved and paved. 1t is very imports
ant a road, and the traffic over it is so
dense that 1t merits the highest type
of Improvement
fT .sa.1 |
has been made for the improvement
and construction of the Wallula cut
off. The latter is extremely important
as an economic proposition. 1t will
enable the people of vast region to
reach points in Oregon without taking
a circuitous route. Fully four hours
driving would be saved by the building
Of this important road, and it would
enable the people Of the Yakima coun-
try and that vicinity to spend the week
end at the Oregon beaches.
1.-The East Side Pacific Highway.
from Oregon City north, is being cared
FOR by Clackamas county and the
county is having a difficult time to
Keep it in coudition. 1t is not up to
standard in construction and the i'm.
nense traffic which IL bears, its ip-
oortantace as a link in the most inn
1ortant state road, would suggest that
t be included in the state highway
system.
"Regardless Of the fact that the
Vest Side Pacific Highway is part Of
he state system the east side will al
ways bear immense traffic. The bridge
It Milwaukee should be replaced with
/ modern structure. but / am informed
he coUnty's fianances are in such de-
,leted condition that it is impossible TO
Undertake this improvement.