Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1939-01-19
HEREp.hTH[RE

The economy drive inaugurated by
the governor is seemingly going t,
seriously effect the greatest crop w.
have, "the tourist CROP" Washington
is spending thousands of dollars tt
advertise the state and at the Same
time making drastic reductions in
State Park appropriations. The state
parks are one of the greatest assets
that we have to offer the incoming
tourist and been taken advantage Of,
by over 100000 people in the past
year. This lis a very conservative es-
innate as by actual registration our
own Dry Falls park had 126,SOO Wis
itors during the year, and by actual
count less than one out of three sign
ed the book. Multiply this by the
number Of parks in the state and you
get a staggering figure.
Most of the parks are in need of
development to take care of the in
creasing burden of a greater number
Of people that are using them each
year. If this economy is put through
it will mean cutting down the per-
sonnet and perhaps shutting down Of
some Of the parks. The personnel of
the State Parks costs the people of
the state less than any other depart
ment of the state.
Their work is OF UTMOST Importance.
The salaries are paid from rs per
cent of highway fines which in the
past two years brought in about 1884,
600. The estimated revenue was
100000. The governor has stated
that this will have to be sufficient
for the next biennium. That figure
will give about four hundred dollars
per year for each of the 81 parks and
out of this they must keep running.
Should this economy drive mean
the closing down Of Dry Falls. 1t
would mean the loss of one Of Coulee
City's largest payrolls, the WPA
project. This payroll brings Coulee
City over 500 per month. Can the
merchants and people afford such
lossq
That the state patrol should be
taken out of politics and put on a
civil service basis is beginning to be
recognized. by both the state press
and civic leaders. Last week Chief
Bill Cole was bumped from leadership
Of the organization and was immed-
lately replaced by Harry Huse, di'
rector Of the license department. Ac-
cording to reliable information, Coles
successor is ideally equipped for the
position, having been in constant con-
tact with the patrol department.
However, the whole thing SINNERS
down to this: The patrolmen, for the
most part conscientious and able Of
ficers, are entitled to more security
In their jobs. At present they are
wholly at the mercy of the state
highway head, or to go back bit
further, the governor. They have no
definite term of office and can be
hired or fired with no more reason
than that they happen to be politi'
Al, Jo nf flOnQ
This most certainly does not make
for efficiency in the state patrol set
UP, and should be remedied at once
by the legislature which is now in SEES
sion at Olympia.
The general trend of opinion at
the meeting to hear proposed new
water system for Coulee City ex.
planned, seemed to be that this city
was definitely in need Of improve
ments along this line. A resolution
adopted by the gathering of citizens
indicates that they want something
done, and are willing to leave it to
the discretion of the council. The idea
which seemed to gain the most favor
was that of conserving the water sup
ply now on hand and by new mains
and installation Of meters. 1t is esti'
mated that these changes alone would
add one.third to the supply now avail
able at the source. Tuesday night g
meeting was smooth and harmonious,
and it is evident that the council will
receive the fullest cooperation in any
decision they may reach regarding
this matter.