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Show THROUGH THE MIDWEST AND HOME AGAIN The editor returned recently from a motor jaunt through seven states to the east. Our editorial reflections reflec-tions in the meantime have consisted largely of observations observa-tions made on the trip and comparisons formed with local conditions. Although our route took us usually through a state over just one main highway, it was clearly apparent to us that Utah roads were just as good, or better, than those of her neighbors'. There is nothing to be ashamed ! of in our highways. They are better than those of Wyoming Wyom-ing or Nebraska, and as good as those of Colorado or Kansas. The Lincoln highway was found to be very poor in spots. No graveled highway can stand up under the pounding of a constant stream of transcontinental traffic. traf-fic. On the contrary, we found the P. P. 0. O. highway, because1 of its lesser popularity, is usually a smooth road, more on the county road order, upon which the motorist can make good time. j National highways are becoming less popular. They served an excellent purpose a few years ago, at their point of fullest bloom by awakening road interest. But the highway associations do not have the money for the upkeep of roads, maintainence of bridges and culverts. Where these roads usually wound around to be routed down the main street of every town that subscribed to them, the new system of federal-state roads may often leave a town high and dry, a half-mile or so ofr the main route. Consequently, these 'bee lines' arc highly popular and deservedly so. We noted a tone throughout the midwest tnat bespoke, be-spoke, if not prosperity, at least good living conditions. Kansas especially looked good. We. were informed that this state will have its biggest wheat crop in years this season. Iowa is launched upon a road program whereby the state is bonded for a hundred million. All in all, we wonder won-der if it wouldn't be good if we had some of the same sort of 'poverty on our farm flats that some of the embattled midwestern farmers are suffering with. The country clubs are the structures throughout the Iowa county seat towns upon which most of their social life is built. These organizations are truely democratic, demo-cratic, with membership dues not ho prohibitive as in years pa.st, but high enough to keep out the moochers. Farming and wheat growing are synonymous in Kansas. Where twenty or twenty-five years ago, there was much alfalfa hay raised, with a good start nt the dairying industry, a good proportion of the farmers are now buying their butler in town. Depending upon one crop has often proved the undoing of Kansas farmers, but this year will undoubtedly le on of wucwaa. |