The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-07-27
Libby and Troy
Appeal Direct
To Washington
Urge Secretary of Agricul-
ture to Hasten Decision on
Highway Location.
KALISPELL JOINS
IN PETITION

A. Wallace, secretary OF agriculture,
has been signed this week by the
board of county commissioners of
Lincoln county and by the Libby and
Troy commercial clubs, petitioning
Wallace to expedite work on the Lib
by-Troy highway project. The letter
rccounfs the history of this project
and advances arguments favoring its
early construction. The communication
originated in Kalispell and Is accom-
pGnisd by letter from the KAlispeu
Chamber of Comunrce, signed by
George Lanstrum, president, and en-
dorsinR the statements made in the
Joint letter to Wallace. The letter fol-
lows:
Libby, Montana, July Is. 1888.
Hon. Henry A.. Wallace,
Secretary Of Agriculture,
Warrington, D. c.
Dear Mr.. Secretary:
Owing to the general shape up in
public improvement affairs, we are
compelled to bring before you a matter
that ordinarily could be settled locally,
that IS to say, through the Montana
Highway Commission.
We are informed however. by the
Commission and also by the Forest
Service that the matter in which we
are particularly interested is now In
your office awaiting your decision. We
refer to that part Of Montana High
way No 2 between the towns of Libby
and Troy, which towns are represented
respectively by the undersigned.
It occurred to us that it might be
possible, in view Of all the conditions,
to segregate this item from the gener-
al road program with the view of get
ting early action thereon If we could
bring you to Lincoln county, Montana
and show you usually our actual stu
alton, we know that your sympathy
would be aroused, and that you would
brush aside all obstacles in the way Of
early action.
Lincoln county Is the extreme
northwest municipal subdivision Of
Montana. At nearly the extreme
northeastern corner of the county lies
the town Of Eureka. On the extreme
western boundary is the town of Troy.
Thirty miles east of Troy and on the
Kootenai river is the town Of Libby
A glance at the map will show you
that this is mountainous area. That
from Libby to Eureka it is served by
a road connecting with highway No.
SO, which latter road is north and
south highway extending to the in
ternational boundary. Libby and Troy
are both on highway No 2 and this
is the only road we have to connect
us with Spokane and other western
cities and with the principal cities of
- - e ~.
has always actively supported all good
road movements in Montana, and we
have looked forward from month to
month, and from year to, year to the
time when we could share in the pros
perity or at least partial prosperity,
which the completion OF our highway
system would seem to promise, If not
assure
Unfortunately highway construc-
ton between Libby and Troy is diff
ficult and expensive Forest money
has been limited and of necessity it
has had to be spread over great deal
of territory. The section of the road
referred to has always been dependent
on one hundred per cent forest money;
1t having been and now being the
policy of the Highway Commission to
use the gas tax money and Federal
aid on other sections Of this and other
roads. Of this we are not complain
ing and have always been in accord
with this policy. There are reasons
why this should be SO. A very large
part of our county is made up Of for
est reserves and we are compelled to
administer large AREA small part
only Of which pays taxes to the county.
1t has been great many years now
since Montana enacted the five cent
gasoline tax. law for the purpose OF
raising revenue to take advantage of
Federal government participation. With
the exception of Lincoln county Mon
tana's road program has advanced
satisfactorily in all parts of the state.
Highways No 2 and No. SO where they
enter Flathead Valley, one hundred
miles to the east of Libby, are both
served with network of highways
that enable travellers to voyage into
Cnaada and to the Pacific Coast, by
way Of the Clarks Fork of the Column
bia River, Burke and Wallace, Idaho.
But we have been cut off all these
years from the outside world and par
ticipation in the benefits Of tourist
travel, by reason Of the fact that the
present outlet from Libby to the west
has been so difficult and hazardous
that people travelling through Mon
tana, will not risk the dangers of our
route. AT the present time the road
between the points named goes over
high and precipitous cliffs, unnervine
to the ordinary chauffeur.
However, water grade route has
been established by the Montana High
way Commission and the Bureau ol
Public Roads, and if we can only ge1
highway No. 2 between Kalispell ano
Troy and the Idaho line completed WI
win be assured our share of public
travel, to say nothing of the conven-
fences, comfort and safety of our loca
people.
Last winter the Highway Commission
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