Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-31
MUD ROAD EXPERTS
Come in From the Country 10
Discuss the Condition of
Rural Highways.
CONVICT LABOR FAVORED.
Suggestions That Oil Hen and City
Folks Help Bear the Burden.
A ROAST FOR TIE SUPERVISORS.
Sizing Up the Agricultural influence In
the Legislature.
RESULT OF TIE DISPATCH AGITATION
CONVICT LABOR FAVORED.
A ROAST FOR TIE SUPERVISORS.
Skiing Up the Agricultural Influence in
the Legislature.
RESULT OF TIE DISPATCH AGITATION

road conventionists got to work yesterday
was sufficient to prove that the delegates
were mainly country people and therefore
early risers The object of the gathering
was to get a concensus of opinion that could
be presented to the State Commission ap-
pointed to prepare bill for the improve
ment OF highways. for presentation to the
Legislature this winter.
The convention was held in Room NO. ou
in the Court House. There were III as
tricts entitled to representation, and they
were generally represented, and intelligent
ly. the onlv thing marring harmony, and 1t
only made merriment, being the disposition
Of a few untameable outskirters TO regard the
participation of lawyers and merchants with
suspicion.
The convention was called to order by W.
Il. Roberts, Of Robinson township. In an
swer to roll call 67 elected delegates re-
sponded, and, as all the districts were other
wise represented, the list was made full by
the admission of all interested. Commis-
sioner Ca. Y. Mckee was made Chairman,
and W. II. Roberts and Percy F. Smith,
Secretaries.
A BUSINESS COMMITTEE.
A committee of five was appointed to pre-
pare business. 1t was subsequently en-
larged to 15 as follows: I. P. Iams, Chair
man; j. W. Mtlligan, James Beggs, L.
Douthett, William Knoederer, George
Burns, j. W. Snee, R. Stoner, W. P. Nc
Junkin, Ale xander Gilfllan, Jr., George
c. Magill, R. H. Caughey, Alf S. Quinette,
Andrew Patterson, W. II. Roberts and
George Y. Mckee.
After the committee retired N otion to
adjourn until 1 P. M was voted down, and
Chairman Mckee then enlarged on the OBJ
ject to be obtained and asked for suggestions
TO guide the commission.
Mr.. Andrew Patterson, of CHARTERS town.
ship, urged that action be in line with the
work of the State Commission, and said it
was not best to antagonize it.
Percy f. Smith, the Virgin alley farmer,
now reported that the committee had con-
sidered but two phases.
WANT OIL OPERATORS TAXED.
Farmer T. P. Iams, Esq, of Diamond
street, read the lucubrations of the commit
tee. 1t reported a recommendation that the
Road Commission be requested to insert a
clause in its recommendation to the Legis-
latuse that all oil companies and operators
be taxed in the respective townships in
which thev are operating.
Henry McCully, Patton township dele
gate, suggested an addition to the report
that oil borers be made to pay for the
bridges they broke.
The committees report was adopted, when
Mr.. Patterson renewed his remarks, and said
it was of prime necessity that the road super
visor should be dethroned. He deprecated
the laying down of law by the convention
to the State Commission, and hoped any
address would be suggestive rather than
mandatory in tone. He thought the County
Engineer should be at the helm. Road
work hencetorth should be permanent and
the services of 200 supervisors who cost the
county some $500, 900 year and whose SER
vices are not worth 5000, for the same time,
except to their sisters, cousins and their
aunts-
A voice-There are several supervisors
present
Mr.. Patterson-I don't care; 1 am speak
ing generally and from personal experience.
ENHANCING TOWNSHIP VALUES.
Mr. Patterson also held that the expense of
collecting the township taxes might be re-
duced BY consolidation. He said the eI-
penditure Of 100000 in his township,
Charters would enhance the value of the
township 81, 00O, 900,
August BonneTf, Of Harmar township,
advocated tax to be paid in cash as The
hrst thing. He spoke as an eI-Supervisor,
and dwelt upon soldering on the roads and
the sending Of cripples to do the work. Mr..
Bonnert then proceeded to peel his clothes
for Mr.. Patterson, whom he charged with
being among class responsible for the
present unfathomable mud. He said also
that no Court House red tape would
improve the country roads. He held
that gilt-edged officials would not make
good roads; only hard work can accomplish
any good. In conclusion he held that the
only way to get good highways was to ex-
pend all the tax levied each year in the
making of as much road as could be made
right, and the appropriation not frittered
away in the distribution of mud and brush
over all the roads in a township.
Mr.. Bonnert's style of oratory was so
effective that his periods were followed by
thunders of applause and stamping of feet.
and the latter brought up Felix NegIey from
the Quart r Sessions Court. who announced
that the aforesaid court objected TO having
the Court House shaken down, or something
TO that effect, and Chairman Mckee admin
jstered a dose of soothing syrup which
stopped the action of the pedal extremities.
CITY FOLKS SHOULD HELP.
The question as to what should constitute
township and what county roads was next
raised, and Mr.. P. f. Smith held that Pitts
burg should be asked for more money pro-
pJrtionally to keep up some roads than the
townships in which they Law, as they were
OF more use TO city than to country people.
H. NJ. Alter, OF wilkins township, held
that if the county were to maintain por-
tiOn of the roads the distance ought to be
apportioned equally to the townships; that
the burden in each township should be d.
vided between county and township.
The question as to whether the roads should
be classified as county and township, Accord
ing to their use, was next discussed, those
used generally to be county and the re.
msinder township.
DR.. W. II. Mccullough, of Tarentum, a
member of the State Commission, was intro
duced and read the questions propounded
by that body as follows:
First-Are you in favor of abolishing the
present system of working out road taxes and
pAying a cash tax instead?
Second-Do you favor State aid to public
roads?
Third-If so, how shall it be distributed. to
the townships or counties How shall the
amount be ascertained, by valuation of assess
al rrn~l lnrfNT nrnho nf fr,1,a