The daily star-mirror., 1922-09-05
SAYS TRUCKS ARE
Destroying ROADS

DLUlnUlIlVu nUHDU
DIR. J. W. STEVENSON TELLS OF
CONDITIONS IN WESTERN
WASHINGTON AND B. c.
Editor Star-Mirror:-
Just a few lines regarding our auto
trip, from which we arrived at home
Friday night The total distance Gov
cred was 1718 miles. Some gas and
little oil occasionally was all the
attention our car required during the
trip. Most people know that the time
one seems to need vacation is just
after the return from holiday, and
we are no exception to the rule.
I am not at all certain that l am
going to interest your readers by re-
citing our experiences as many have
recently covered much of the same
ground.
Going west was via ColfaX, Central
Ferry, Yaima; CleElum and over the
pass On arrival at the Pacific high
way we went north through Everett,
Bellingham, and Sumas. At the last
ish Columbia and continued up the
Frazier valley, making several stops,
with Harrison Hot Springs our destl-
nation. Our return journey was via
Vancouver, B. c., the object being
both business and pleasure. From
Vancouver we came south and ex-
ported our car at Blaine, Washington,
and were again in our Uncle's terri
tory. Continuing south, we visited Sc
attic, Portland, coming home over the
Columbia highway and through Walla
Walla and across Central ferry.
Much of Road Paved
On this trip one drives over much
paved highway and within the next
few years will be able to "do it alP'
over the best of roads. At present
certain gaps and detours detract from
the total of pleasure that future tour
lists will enjoy.
Our nights, going and coming, were
spent in hotels. We visited numerous
auto camping grounds, however. Some
have every convenience for the tray
eler. and in others the conveniences
are limited.
In travelling by auto this year one
cannot help but notice the tremendous
increase in the number Of tourists
from the southern and eastern states,
who are now turning their attention
to the northwest in search OF grand
scenery. Everywhere is heard express
sions of delight from those who had
imagined that only California had
ANYTHING worth looking at. From this
time on the rush of sightseers to the
ond the north
west, at every point, is preparing TO
take care of those who come. JUST
now the Canadian border is the popu-
lar mecca. Every tourist remaining
in British Columbia for one week is
entitled to bring back goods to the
amount of $100, if for personal use.
But unfortunately it is not. stated
what kind of goods. But uncle sam
has ruled that it must be "dry" goods.
This proves a sad disappointment TO
many, so they remain in the KING
country to consume it before coming
across the boundry.
The driveways in and around VAN
couver are a great pleasure to the
tourist There is much of natures
grandeur exposed along the many
miles of pavement.
Seattle Is COngested
Seattle is growing more congested
every year. 1t is now almost 1mpos-
sible to park car on many OF the
streets. Business and professional
men, in many cases, have to park tour
and five blocks from their offices and
walk the remaining distance. Al
though we lived there prior to coming
to Moscow and were quite we'll ac-
Quainted with the city, must confess
I would rather drive in some other
business districts.
We called on Professor Howard T.
Lewis and his family formerly of the
of Idaho. These good peo-
ple wish to be remembered to their
many friends in Moscow.
Fruit farmers, both in the Yakima
and columbia river districts, nave
enormous crops this year, but are
losing out badly because of the rail-
road strike. Much of the finest fruit
IS going to waste. We bought tine
musk melons for one cent each from |
he grower In the Frazier valley in
British Columbia, saw the finest
apples offered for one
lalf cent per pound and refused by
he dealers, while in Vancouver
thousands must pay outrageous prices
f they get any fruit at all Such is
he unequal conditions which so Of
en- prevail between the grower and
he consumer.
Highways are Abused
A most genuine complaint is now
,efng raised regarding the abuse of
highways The roads which cost mil
ions to build, are being ruined by the
per cent of users, namely the
ruck interests. These trucks are in
-ariably much overloaded and driven
t enormous speed for such carriers,
he result being the destruction Of
Dads that were built with public
nonies. The law is constantly vio-
ated. These people, with only an oc-
asional small fine being imposed
t is now quite evident that roads
or ordinary use will not stand such
buse and different arrangements
1ust be concluded, or else the various
tates and counties are spending their
ood money for roads that are to be
estroyed by three per cent of the
sers.