The Bozeman courier., 1927-10-14
DEFENDS HIGHWAY COMMISSION

Criticisms of the state highway commission Tor
not going quickly about the completion of an
east-west road across the state, instead of ex-
pending funds available various projects IN I
widely separated counties, not only ill-con-
sidered but unjust, according to o. S. Warden of
Great Falls, chairman of the commission.
cit might be entirely wise," says Mr.. Warden,
ito construct one highway through the state from
east to west, but neither Bill No. 81, passed by
the people, nor the statute enacted by the legis
lature will permit such a course. Apparently the
fact has been overlooked that statute passed by
the recent general assembly divides the state into
II districts and cOmpes the expenditure of money
in each by percentage method based upon the
amount of uncOnstructed mileage in the district
in any particular year. A proposal to build at
once complete across-the-state highway clearly
would violate the statute and could not be carried
through"
Undoubtedly Mr.. Warden, in making his state
ment, had in mind recent criticism of the COM
missions activities in connection with theArepair
and completion of the Yellowstone trail. We at
one time approved some of these but admit
that we had overlooked the statutory provision
to which Mr. Warden refers-the clause making
compulsory the expenditure of available funds in
each of the districts. We offer our apologies.
With Mr. Warden, we believe that the mmed-
ate construction of at least one modern highway
across Montana from east to west would be the
proper thing But since the people and their re-
presentatves have made that impossible, at least
for the present, we must make the best of the
situation. Undoubtedly we shall, in time, have
such through highway; just how long before
that comes to pass is problematical. In the mean
time the commission must abide by the law,>nO
matter what its judgment may be.
Regarding the Jefferson canyon road, pro-
iect which has excited so much comment in this
section, Mr.. Warden explained:
early in the spring, when it became fact
that we would carry out construction program
this wear, engineers were sent to make an eXamin-
alton of the Jefferson canyon. There was no
thought on the part of the commission that the
project would be built in any other way than
directly through the canyon The engineers, how
ever, found that there another route through
the canyon where construction would cost much
less When this preliminary report was received
we were then required, under government regula-
tiOns to examine all possible routes, as is the
case with any project It was found that two OF
more complete surveys could not be made in time
for carrying forward construction in 1927 There
FORE under the statute that requires us to expenC
the money in the district, transfer was made
to the Elk Park project. This is hardly latera
thorOughfare, for it is on the through route from
Butte to Helena and carries one of the heavies
volumes of traffic in the state
''There has never, at any time, been an intention
on the part of the commission the governmen
to make decision regarding construction in tn
Jefferson canyon until two complete surveys hav
been made Then, having all the facts and all G
the comparative costs, a choice will be made
have an idea that this project will be constructe
as soon as possible. It's Importance is thorough
recognized constituting as it does bad barrie
the Yellowstone trail. The surveys are bein
made as rapidly as possible, and decision wi
be reached as soon as they are completed. II
commission has nothing in mind except to bui
this project where it will be within the interes
of the state of Montana" .-~
Mr.. Warden then points out that under Il
statute which establishes the IL road constructiC
districts, it happens that the division line is
situated that construction of the Jefferson canyC
project directly through the canyon would tai
money out of the Helena district, whereas
utilization of the southern route would draw fun
from the Butte district. In the former cas-
building of the Helena-Three Forks highway,
improvement badly needed and which has be-
urged by many prominent citizens Of Bozema
would be seriously delayed. Taking Of mon
from the Butte district, however, would not inte