The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1946-03-07

rector, VINO met FRIDAY evening at
Central school in Cambridge, with
sportsmen and others interested in
the recreational development of the
Seneca lake region, gave assurance
that his department will give care
full consideration to the proposition
of Incorporating sections of certain
county and township roads east and
north Of the lake into the state high
way system.
The sections of roads involved con-
stitute an 81 mile stretch, extending
from Senecaville past Seneca dam
and for some distance along the
north side of the lake in Noble and
Guernsey counties. 1t was pointed
out that the road was the most
heavily travelled route to the lake
thousands of motorists using it year
ly in visiting the region for fishing
and other outdoor diversions, but
that it is in bad condition and dur
ing much of the winter and spring
months is virtually impossible.
The meeting, sponsored by the
Guernsey County Fish & Game asso-
citation, was in charge of DR.. R. H.
Olnhausen and he, as we'll as others
On the speaking program, spoke con-
vincingIy of the great need of pro-
viding adequate maintenance for the
road and urged that it be included
in the state system.
Among the speakers were Robert
It. Secrest, former congressman, who
was largely responsible for securing
federal aid in the creation of the
lake and other projects of the Mus
kingum Watershed COnservancy dis
trict program; DR.. C. A. Craig, state
representative; o. J. Sharpe, Byes-
vile; Charles S. Campbell, county
commissioner; Mayor Vern F. Ross
and Walter G. Springer, Chamber of
Commerce manager.
A petition asking that the road be
included in the state system and
bearing 1000 signatures, many from
Noble county, was formerly pre-
sented to Mr.. Ford. A resolution
passed by the county commissioners
and embodying a similar request was
also presented the director.
Mr.. Ford spoke of the tremendous
problem facing his department in
maintaining highways already in the
state system, and said that ordin-
arily he was reluctant to extend the
system now by adding additional
roads. He stated that he was en-
tirely sympathetic with the proposal
but that he was unable to make
definite commitment.
However, he did indicate that
something would be done by the de-
partment to improve the road. Ant
that within a month he will confer
with his engineers Of the NeWarl
and Marietta divisions relative to the
possibility of adding the road to the
state system.
Mr.. Ford was introduced by Dr
Craig. who was cO-sponsor of blI
enacted whereby the state sets aside
$4,000 each year for the improve
ment of roads in the vicinity Of Mus
kingum Watershed Conservancy dis
trict lakes. DR.. Craig pointed ou
that the bill in it's original form
would have provided greater bene
fits for the improvement of roads
hut that it is at least start in real
izing greater aid from the state
along this line. The measure coult
do verv little in financing the i'm
provement of the Seneca lake road
it was pointed out.
The lake road lies in part II
Guernsey county with the remalnde
which constitutes about two miles
is IN Noble county.
Mr.. Secrest explained that th'
lake belongs to the state and tina
II has millions of dollars invested II
it. Consequently, he pointed out, /
should be to the best interest of th'
state that roads in the lake regior
be properly maintained to insure
further development Of the reglof
for recreational purposes. increased
use of the area would bring abou
great revenue for the state as real
lied from the sale of fishing licenses
and gasoline.
Mr.. Socrest left Saturday fol
Washington, D. c., to investigate
the possibility of the MWCD secur
ing surplus property for use in pro
viding additional recreation facilities
in lake regions.