The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1938-05-19
THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE

ment of state and federal government on
the duties previously ascribed to local
boards. The recent difficulty over relief
policies and the perennial recommendation
that township governments be dissolved are
examples The current discussion here OF
matters concerning Ramsey state park is
new example.
One hesitates to criticise the develop
ment of Ramsey park as being carried on by
the state park department since much OF the
work being done there is of considerable
value. However many in the city feel that
mistakes are being made concerning phases
of the improvements; mistakes that would
be avoided if a local park board were con-
suited, as was the policy of state park di-
rectors until recent years.
Briefly the scheme being worked out at
the park is to have central parking facilities,
with direct routes into and out of the park
over broad roads, smooth and straight as
far as possible Picnic grounds, scenic spots,
tennis courts and other facilities will be
reached only by walking as the other roads
with few exceptions will be closed.
In theory the change has considerable
merit but local board, realizing that
great percentage of park visitors nave Time
only for a motor trip through, would hesl-
tate to enforce such a plan. 1t might en-
courage central parking as sound policy
roads be left open until disuse warranted
their closing. 1t certainly would not build
unsightly barricades to rouse the Ire OF
those who prefer to travel the byways by
motor.
A local board would be slow to make
the only available softball diamond in the
park, it's most used recreational facility, IN
to a parking lot without providing othef
space for the sport. 1t might insist that
parking under the trees be prohibited, on
the grounds that fumes from AUTOMOBILES
DESTROY plant life, but it would allow the
unloading of picnic accessories at the picnic
grounds before requiring that the car be
placed in an established parking lot, avoid
ing the necessity of long distance toting OF
heavy baskets.
To the theory that the vast system of
roads as laid out by the founders make park
travel hazardous, members of a local board
would reply from knowledge of local condl-
lions that park accidents have been laudably
few and question whether straight routes,
encouraging speeding, may not prove more
dangerous.
The state park directors have the ad-
vantage of considerable experience in park
planning, but local board would supple
ment this knowledge with an insight on local
park uses and wants of visitors. The two
could work hand in hand to the great ad-
vantage of both, and the park.
WITH THE FIFTH MONTH OF THE
year more than half gone, many counties
and smaller cities of the state have main
tanned perfect safety records by avoiding
auto accident fatalities to this point: RED.
wood Falls has had no car deaths within Its
limits, although the county has had three
traffic deaths this year.
In large city, occasional traffic deaths
are inevitable The city campaigns to1
greater caution using in it's propaganda, the
occasional fatality which the campaign does
not prevent. In the small city or non-metro-
politan county, one accident may take more
lives than were lost during the entire year
previous. The campaign not only lacks the
fresh accident news as campaign ammuni'
effective because of one such accident when
in reality a great spirit of caution was pro-
NOTED through the effort.
It is we'll to look upon safety RECORD
figures in this light. 1t might be even bet
ter if safety committee ratings were based
not on fatalities but on accidents reported tt
the highway patrol under new law which
makes reports mandatory. A more accurate
picture Of the driving conditions in such
communities would be possible.
NATIONAL AIRMAIL WEEK, LIKE
most of the weeks we observe, is designed
to promote the use of the airmail service not
just this week but generally. For small
additional charge the business mans order
for new stock can be in New York almost
over night letter to Los Angeles frienc
need not spend several days in mail Cal
but can be delivered with tomorrow's after
noon paper.
Eventually, no doubt, more and more
mail will be carried by air. Trains replaced
the stages, star routes were introduced wher
trains reduced service. AS the worlds pace
gains more speed, the hauling of mail from
Redwood Falls by plane may cease to be the
novelty of promotion week, become the re-
gular thing.
In Reply to "NEW DAY ON THE FARM"
Redwood Gazette, May IL, 1888
Yes, Little Boy Blue, Come BIo,D Your Horn"
There's government agent counting your corn
It's so much different from former gears
When none gaze a DARN if your corn had ear;
Or sold each bushel for fifteen cents;
1t sure ,Das great, such recompense.
When you shipped your hogs to South ST. Pau
- In.,I