Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1919 — THREE COUNTIES IN COMBINE [ARTICLE]

THREE COUNTIES IN COMBINE

DELEGATES OF WARREN, BENTON AND NEWTON TO MAKE 1 ROAD FIGHT. (Fearful lest the counties lying to the east of them will obtain the trunk line highway through western Indiaana, if one is contsructed, delegates of Warren, Newton and Benton counties met at the hub of Newton county Wednesday to discuss plans for securing the proposed road for their counties. Our neighbors are thoroughly organized and are going to make the fight of their lives in an effort to obtain what will be the biggest trade-getter that could be added to their community, as may be seen from the following article: Kentland, Ind., April 17.—Anxious to secure early assistance from state and national sources in the constructtion of a trunk line of* highway through western Indiana, a large and enthusiastic meeting of delegates from Benton, Warren and Newton counties was held here yesterday. There is a general fear throughout the counties bordering on the Hindis fine that such a trunk line of highway will be secured by the counties lying to the east and that when the final location is made, this important artery of commerce will drain these counties of the vast amount of trade now enjoyed by them with tourists and others who now use the splendid road systems of these counties.

Action was taken to completely organize Warren, Benton and Newton counties and committees were appointed from each county were apconfer with and organize Lake county, so that there will be a powerful combination to convince the powers that be that the western tier of counties should receive first attention. Several propositions as to the location of the desired trunk line through Benton and Newton counties were considered by the delegates. Among these was one to locate an air line from Fowler directly north to the town of Thayer in Newton county. Another was to locate a line running into Crown Point in Lake County. Another was to have the line located oh what is now mown as the Earl Park-Kentland-Morocco road. The latter line met with the greater approval by the assemblage and will probably be a very popular route when the location for the proposed trunk line is being finally adopted. Great opposition developed to having the Crown Point ine considered at all.

With the possible exception of some portions of California, there are, perhaps, no other sections of country in the United States where there are as ipany miles o£ excellent highways as are to be found in the northwestern counties of Indiana. Here are splendid grades—well drained, and extending for miles through a most wonderful farming Country. The farms, as a rule, are well kept—well fenced and are virtually all accessible to stone and gravel highways that are in the best of condition the year round. During the summer months hundreds of tourits travel through this section by automobile and are amazed at the ease and comfort of travel, while at the same time a large amount of -revenue is received by the people of the section through the trade with these. The people of this section have not been slow to realize the benefits of good roads and hence there will be a determined effort made by them tri secure a great trunk line *to be constructed through state and federal aid. •