, 1927-03-02
THE RED LoDGE-cooKE CITY ROAD

We wonder just how much Montana expects to gain by
threatening to stop road construction on its Bridger road down
TO the MISUNDERSTANDING line. Cody has long been proud of it's
ability to "get along" with Montana, and has tried to cooperate
with her in all those things of mutual benefit, and it rather
"ruffles our fur" to have the men of that state say that unless
you "do this" or "do that" WE will discontinue road improve
ment on the road coming into the Big Horn basin.
Now that the issue has been raised, we might say that
Cody and the Big Horn basin, and the entire state of Wyoming,
could possibly survive if Montana went a bit farther, and
placed a gate on the Mountaineering line, and on that gate
placed a paddock.
The fact of the matter is Wyoming does not take any too
kindly to Montana's Red Lodge-Cooke City road. We are
opposed to it for a good many reasons, any one of which we are
perfectly willing to be frank about, and even though Montana
does not agree with us, we probably, not at least on our own
initiative, threaten to stop dealing in a cordial and friendly
manner with Montana interests.
We are opposed to an appropriation for this Red Lodge
Cooke City road. First because there is no economic necessity
for another entrance to Yellowstone park on the east. The new
road, which would cost anyway more that a million dollars, and
possibly two million before completed, would be a road open for
travel very little over sixty days a year, and would parallel the
present Cody road.
Second this road which would be at least twothirds within
the state of Wyoming, would naturally be charged to this state
and the funds of the Shoshone forest which it would traverse.
There are dozens of good and logical reasons why the Cooke City
road should not be built over the top of the Beartooth noun
tains, any of which would deter any organization governed by
business motives from starting the project.
Montana has already three entrances to Yellowstone park
which is located wholly within the state of Wyoming. Wyoming
has two entrances and the state of Idaho one entrance. Each
and every one of these roads need improvement They need
many thousands of dollars, many more than the new road would
cost, to be spent upon them, before they could by any stretch of
the imagination be called high-grade roads.
Yet the nation is now confronted with a group of boosters
for a new road. One to be built a great portion of the way
above timber line in the Beartooth mountains, to enter Yellow
stone National park. And Wyoming is told that if we do not
withdraw our protests" the Binings-Cody road program. that
part of it within Montana, will be abandoned.
All we can say is Montana Go To It." We don't believe
those responsible for such idle threats and utterances represent
the business interests of Montana, but if they do, the Big Horn
Basin and Wyoming may be forced to divert it's business into
other channels. Our objections to the proposed road are not
based upon selfish motives. We believe we have logic and
sound business judgment on or side, and it is very doubtful
III Wyoming will willingly submit to a new road along the border
OF the state, at least not until our state roads are in a more
highly improved condition.