The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-10-04

CnalllS, lOauO.
SIR
In your issue of September 18th, we
read with interest of the improvements
and general air of prosperity in Chal-
lis. Round Valley and Custer county.
Progress is worth recording "but
good wine needs no bush" and a blind
man can see that this community is
growing. Unfortunately, however.
there are other things a blind man
CAN see-aye, and a deaf man, hear
that are not such a credit to the
community. The Salmon river road a.
bove Challis bridge is but a ghost of
track. Possibly there are worse
roads in Custer county but if there
are you will find them leading into, Or
out Of community that is placidly
awaiting the undertaken.
AN army moves on it's stomach"
An isolated community lives by its
roads. The Salmon river road above
Challis is disgrace to Custer coun-
ty and source of heavy expense to
all, rancher and miner alike, who are
forced to travel or freight over it.
The fact that the County has been
poor in funds for the past few years
is no excuse. To neglect roads is a
false economy that sooner or later re-
acts on the County treasury and that
every day reacts on the people who
are dependent upon the roads If a
rancher saves a few dollars of road
taxes it is small consolation to him
when he breaks spring in a chuck
hole.
The Ramshorn Mines Company has
paid sizable taxes since its mill start
ed-taxes that are proportionately four
times those of the rancher; when
the transient nature of mining and the
obsolence of mining and milling ma
chinery are considered-yet with the
exception of the efforts of one first,
class road man no maintenance work
worthy of the name, has been done.
Mock's hill was eliminated, to be sure,
but this is a doubtful blessing because
the old hill road was at least smooth
and easier on trucks, cars, and wagons
than the present cutoff. The Rams
horn tax money comes to the county
at no appreciable additional expense
to the treasury and it would seem
good business and good sportsmanship
to put some of this money into roads,
thereby assisting going mine and
incidentally making road travel less
Of an agony to other taxpayers.
Putting aside the maintenance of
Ioads for the encouragement Of indus.
tries, as a dull axe that has made many
utlle trips TO 4 non-eXistent grindstone
It Is an axiom that no community can
progress without good schools and
good roads. Good schools we have.
but good roads have been delayed far
too long. There is no inducement to
new settler, to a new mine operator,
or to tourist, who is potentially one
OF the two, if roads are bad. This por-
tlon of Custer county is rich in miner
al resources but only proven mines
can Withstand the present freight ex.
pense and no mining company can well
afford to open prospect facing the un
certainty of finding ore and the GER
tainty of paying most of its possible
profitsfor freighting over bad roads.
This country is a paradise for the
tourist. 1t is rich in scenery and a
fertile field for rod or gun, yet few
tourists can afford the expense of a
year in the hospital, recuperating from
the effects of trip over these roads.
A few editorials from you, Mr.. Edi-
tor. might start some thought on the
value of good roads. A little concert
ed action might crystalize the will of
the people into sentiment that our
county and state officials can not ig.
more.
Yours truly,
G., A. JOSLIN.