The Nespelem tribune. [volume] (Nespelem, Wash.) 1934-1936, 1934-09-05
NESPELEM WINS ROAD BATTLE
FOLLOWING HEARING TUESDAY
Four-Mile Cutoff Resolution
Rescinded By Unanimous
Action Of Board
Williams Hits Plan
Nespelem Spokesman Declares
Project Unfair; Methow Speak
ers Lambast Plan

erS LambaSt Plan
Following q fiery hearing at
which representatives from Mes
pelem and Methow valley commun-
tiles carried to the board of county
commissioners their battle against
the four-mile road link proposed to
connect the Indian service highway
and the Omak lake road south Of
Nespelem, county commissioners
yesterday passed motion rescind-
ing the resolution which authorized
the roads construction.
The hearing, held at the court
room in Okanogan, drew approx
mately 80 leaders of the opposition
to the proposed road, representing
Nespelem, Omak, Pateros, Carlton,
Methow, Winthrop and Twisp. Get
ting underway at II o'clock, it was
concluded shortly after noon. and
the decision of the commissioners
was announced at 2:30 o'clock.
Williams Attacks Road
Centering his attack on the pro-
ject on the fact that it would leave
Nespelem off the main road from
the Okanogan valley to the dam
site, l.. B. Williams, Nespelem Com
mercial club president, declared that
the plan was unjust to this COM
munity and reflected desire to pre-
vent and delay Nespelem's progress.
"Nespelem wants road from the
Okanogan valley, and has urged the
Disautel route because we believe
it would serve a greater number Of
people and open up new resources.
1t is by far the most pleasant
route, whereas there could be no
more desolate site selected foE o
road than the other route con-
templated.
SIN our efforts to secure o road
we have been ignored or answered
evasively. There appears to be
feeling that Nespelem should be
divorced from the rest of the coun-
ty, and that our wishes should not
be considered in county matters.
Want Nespelem Off Road
1.-THE cutoff represents an at
tempt to wilfully cut Nespelem off
the main highway. It is unjust and
a deliberate stumbling block to pre-
vent the progress of the commun-
ity."
Prior to the opening of the hear
ing to opponents of the road, Com
missioner Gamble, author Of the
resolution authorizing the road, said
that $4,000 had been spent on the
Omak lake road and that construc-
ton of any other route would mean
heavy waste of funds already ex-
pended.
He stated that he believed the
county should hurry construction Of
a road to the Grand Coulee dam so
that the Methow valley and other
parts of the county could enjoy the
benefits to come from development
at the dam. Mr.. Gamble also ex-
planned that he had some time ago
suggested to Commissioner Farver
and r. H. Mitchell, then member
of the board, that all construction
money available in the county be
expended on a road from Brewster
up the Columbia river to the dam
but that the other commissioners
disagreed with the plan.
Larrabee Takes Lead
Views of the opposition were out
lined by John Larrabee, prominent
Pateros orchardist, who presented
resolutions condemning the road
passed by Commercial clubs at
Winthrop, Pateros, Twisp, Carlton
and Brewster.
He declared that the plan by
which Commissioner Gamble pro-
posed to take $4,000 from the Met
how valley districts road fund to
apply on the cutoff project was q
wrongful diversion of road money.
and that taxpayers in Mr.. Candles
district were practically unanimous
ly opposed to the plan.
TT has been a custom for the
to spend road money
allotted them in their own district.
The voters understand that this
practice should not be violated, and
look upon the plan to take their
road money as a wrongful diversion
of funds.
Under Commissioner CANDLES
plan the money would be taken
away from district where it should
be expended over the objections OF
the commissioner in whose district
it would be spent. 1t is entirely I'M
called for and unjust and the people
here ask that the resolution author
izing the road be rescinded and
expect action today"
MethOw United Against Plan
Mr.. Larrabee declared that 80
cHOntinuad On Ro1o Roalrl