The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-02-02
CITIZENS WANT THE
HIGHWAY CLEARED

1t is anticipated that the Hood River
Automotive Dealers Association and
other bodies here will take formal ac-
ton this week in appealing to the State
Highway Commission to hasten the
work of clearing the ice blockade of
the Columbia Highway between here
and the Multnomah county line. The
road is now open from here to Viento
and between Wyeth and Cascade
Locks. Only a short stretch Of ice
bound road, between Viento and Wyeth
in the Shell Rock mountain vicinity
remains. Thomas Lacey, who worked
on clearing the road Just before Christ
mas says the drift of ice and sleet can
be removed in a very short time by
use of adequate machinery.
The Dalles civic organizations have
written here urging the local automo-
bile dealers organization to cooperate
with them in getting the highway
cleared. Harry Connaway, president
of the Hood River Business Mems AS
sociation, says that. his organization is
ready to join in the petition for an
early clearing of the road.
Money is available for clearing the
Columbia River Highway of snow in
Multnomah county. but the county
commissioners decided Monday to take
couple of more days to decide what
to do. An eight-f0ot roadway can be
cleared to the Hood River county line
for 81 500, or the full width can be
cleared for $4,000, according to esti-
mates of G. g Kelley. assistant state
highway engineer, who made a repoi t
to the MultnOmah county commits
soners at the conference. Coopera-
ton with the o. W. r. d N. railroad
company will be needed in either case
Samuel c. Lancaster offered to open
the Highway from Portland to the |
Hood River county line, full width. at |
actual cost, provided that he be given |
full and complete charge Of all forces
and equipment, without interference
from anyone
The Hauser Construction Company
offered to clear the Highway at cost.
j. A. Manning offered to burn a 10 |
foot strip, with 50-foot turn-outs every |
800 feet, for about $500 for a mile |
section. He promised to give a bond |
that he would finish the job in week.
The first detailed report that has
been made of ice and snow conditions |
on the famous Highway was submitted
by Engineer Kelley, who covered the
road last week under direction Of the
State Highway Commission. Mr.. Kel-
ley said that the road is open from
Portland to Mist Falls, but from Mist
Falls to point one mile east of One
3. 8 miles the Highway
is buried from 4 to l6 feet on the cen
ter line. Then there are about 8 000
feet free, or practically so. From the
point east Of Oneonta to Tanner Creek
t is practically all clear, with some
four to eight-foot drifts.
The snow is packed with strata Of
lleet and will melt by July, except in
he heavier drifts. The snow is packed
lard enough so that powder can be
lsed effectively. A pOwdeTman eXper-
mented with it last week. the shots
blowing out without shattering effect.
hydraulic, flame machine. rock salt
nd steam streams are all capable Of
emoving the snow and ice, said Mr.
Kelley, but the most practical method
S to break 1t up and shovel il by hand
,ower or steam shovel. He inclined ;
oward the manual plan.
Two projects were considered by the {
ngineer. The first was to clear an
ight-foot strip on the outside of the I
avement. This requires moving 90 {
90 cubic yards. OF this 1900 yards {
5ould be side cast 5, 200 wards would Z
ave TO go over the railroad tracks and
900 in end hauls. This project would S
ost 81, 500 The second project called .
Or clearing full width Of the Highway / g
!, 900 cubic yards. divided into IS. 500 I O.
ards eide cast, l3 zoo over the tracks O
nd ~, 500 end haul This project g
'uOld CeJend on the railroa assisting d
ith rotary and snow equipment Cost g
{ second project, Sl5O01, which In s
udes $3.50 for work east Of BCnne- b
lille. 81
About 81. 600 has been spent in Hood
liver county 10 save the parapet walls
ld 81, 500 viii clear the Hood River h
.ctiOn. Shell mountain is the worst II
art in that county and Mr.. Ye0n an
lunced that there Is no use Tor the ST
ighway Commission to clear Shell S,
0untain and up 70 the MuItnomah n
he if Multnomah county doesn't in tl
nd clearing its end. 81
Considering the storm. very little e,
image has been done % the Highway, u
cording to Mr. Kelley. but IN places fc
acks have developed near the eige Of e,
e pavement into which melted snow Cd
gradually flowing ard as this freezes ri
will damage the rock walls. Y
In submitting bis proposal Mr. Ian e1
ster said that be would use a steam io
Ovel The right kind of powder will bl
esk up the packed snJS,. he asserted. -
e had no estimate as 10 cost, but said VI