Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-01-31
IellS About
Road Meeting
At Helena
Lincoln County Men Found
Matters All Settled Before
They Arrived.
IN
SWITCHBACK MONEY

As announced III last weeks issue,
Lincoln county representatives were
unable to obtain any appropriation
from the forest highway funds that
were apportioned at Helena last week,
but arriving home they gave some
inside information as to what had TAX
en- place there. The representatives
from this county were County Com
missioner H. E. Brink and r. r. Weld
man Of Libby and CFas. Smith of
Troy.
1t WAS 4hopad that additional money
could be obtained for the Libby-Idah
State Line project, but il was found
that appropriations had all been de-
clded on before the Lincoln county
representatives arrived, and it was
soon perceived that Lincoln county
was not to get any additional funds.
This decision is explained partly
by the determination of the state
highway commission and federal Of
ficials to break through the Belton-
Glacier barrier this year, so that the
road will he open for use in 1880. To
do that they need all available funds.
The Belton-Glacier project received
the big end of the money, and small
er sums were scattered to other Jobs
over the state. While this part of
the state feels 1t was entitled to some
of the money and that it has not OBJ
tanned its full share, yet it is realized
tkat completion of the Belton- Glacier
highway is of much Importance to all
northwest Montana.
Asked About "Switchback."
Inquiry was made by Mr.. Brink and
Mr.. veIdman as to how soon work
could be expected on the switch
back" and for which the state high
way commission had definitely prom
ised $75,0O0.00 and had given their
word that this project would be
started this year. This brought out
the information that engineers esti-
mates placed tile cost Of this project
at so high a figure that it exceeded
the per mile cost limit allowed by the
government on federal aid projects
and that the problem would have to
be worked out in some different way.
Lincoln county repre- resentatives then
suggested that the project be ex-
panded to include four or five more
miles of cheaper construction which
would reduce the average for the en-
tire project within the limit allowed
on federal aid projects. One or two
Of the commission were apparently
favorable to this plan and SO ex-
pressed themselves.
In this connection MIR. Brink called
to the commissions remembrance that
they had promised s75,0O00O to the
Libby-State Line project and had said
work would begin this year. He stated
that people in this section would
be greatly displeased if the commits
sion failed to keep its promise, re-
marking that men in their position
could not afford to do that. They de-
nied any intention OF not keeping
their word.
Logan is Loyal.
All three Lincoln county men are
strong in their praise of S. M. Logan
of Kalispell for the manner in which
he backed the wishes of this section.
Mr.. Logan was there as a KalispelI
representative but took occasion to
argue strongly before the highway
commission in favor of the Libby
State Line project. No local man could
have put forth a more earnest or
more able effort than did Mr.. Logan
in behalf Of Lincoln county wishes.
He is entitled to the full approba-
tion OF this entire district for his
able work in this connection.