Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-22
THE G0RDIAN KNOT.
How Shall Country Roads be I'm
proved Economically?
TIE STATE MUST RAISE MONEY,
Farmers Want Better Roads, but Object to
Increased Taxation.
THE ROAD COMMISSION TO MEET HERE

1.-THE DISPATCH exploration committe
which travelled over /, 900 miles of the mos
miserable and monstrous country road
in Pennsylvania has awakened the people
of our metropolitan cities to a realization o
the terrible state of things existing in tht
rural districts hitherto known to only coun
try residents" was the remark heard at the
meeting of the State Road Commission il
Philadelphia.
'It has brought an important subject be-
fore the people, and one that requires q
great deal of consideration as to how the
money required to make better roads should
be raised and how distributed.
'tSlnce the accounts of the horrible high.
ways in this State given by THE DISPATCH,
there is talk on every hand for improve
ment. Everybody is of one mind as to the
need of better roads in city and country,
and it is Just as plain that better roads can
not be obtained without the expenditure OF
more money, which means increased tax
alton in some direction.
"Some improvement might be obtained,
it is true, by.a better system of administra-
tion, withoutan an increase of expenditures,
but really good roads will cost great deal
of money. Farmers generally appear to be
raid OF an increase of local taxation, and 4,
therefore
ASK FOR STATE AID,
surmising that, as usual, State taxes will
be directed chiefly against corporations and
the dwellers in cities. But il the State is to
raise the money, it is suggested that the
State should also take charge of at least a
part of the road system. selecting certain
main roads to be put in order and main
tained by the State, and leaving branch or
connecting roads to the counties, and minor
roads to the townships, with some kind of
State supervision over all. The subject is a
very large one, however, and the Commission
should give patient hearing to the COM
plants of the farmers as set forth in THE
DISPATCH articles, before deciding upon a
policy that, If it should be wise one, will
greatly advance the interests of the Com
monwealth."
DR.. Mccullough, member of the Legisla-
ture, was seen last evening at Tarentum, and
the following facts learned in regard to the
plan of work adopted bv the State Road
Commission toward improving the condition
of the public highways:
"Our meeting ut Philadelphia was the
first since the committee organized in Janu-
ary," he said, land much OF the time was
spent in an informal discussion as to what
we should do to get the views of farmers and
others on the subject. AS Senator Harlan
tersely expressed it: We wanted to know
what the people wanted, and suggested that
a circular letter be sent out to every part of
the State containing certain interrogations
relative to the betterment OF public roads.
j this way we thought the sentiment of the
people could be understood. Here are the
questions asked:
VERY PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
Are you in favor of abolishing the present
system of working out road taxes and paying
cash tax instead?
Do you favor State aid to public roadsP
If SO. how shall it be distributed to the town.
ships or counties7 How shall the amount be
ascertained; by valuation of assessabe prop
erty, number of inhabitants, road mileage or
otherwise?
How shall roads be superintended and con-
trolled-by State, county or township super
visors or engineers? and shall the State aid, If
any, be handled the same as local taxesf
Are you in favor of convict labor on public
roads2
Is the stone in your county suitable for road
building?
Is your county an agricultural, manufactur-
Are you in favor Of authorizing townships to
borrow money for road purposes'
When asked as to what propositions or
suggestions have been made toward the i'm
provement of the roads, DIR. Mccullough
was rather reticent. giving as reason that
the committee had been instructed to main
tain absolute secrecy until the views of the
people were given.
But" he said, there must be State aid,
although it will give the farmers some feel
ing of uneasiness. If additional burdensare
o. h. lat = +1o,, L.,
ly to my proposition looking to better roads,
but they should look at it in this way, that
after they have built good roads they will no
longer need to spend any money on them.
STONE ROADS ARE EXPENSIVE.
Allegheny county farmers favor
stone roads, but they want to
from. If S1,000,000 was to be appro-
priated by the State this would permit of a
distribution of about 5000 in each school dis
trict outside of the cities and boroughs."
Possibly the people of Pittsburg and the
other large cities won't beswilling that their
taxes shall be expended on country roads?"
suggested the reporter.
''Cities and boroughs are subjected to
higher taxation for streets and roads than
the rural districts, and for that reason it
would be unfair to expect such communi-
ties to contribute to the improvement of the
roads, unless the improvement applies to the
thoroughfares in the cities and boroughs as
well as those of the country districts.
The State Road Commission decided to
reconvene again on August 5, when they
will go to Towanda, thence to Meadville on
the 9TH and to Pittsburg on the Sth to hear
the views of the people of those sections.
AT the Pittsburg meeting the Republican
and Democratic County Cnalrmen will he
present. besides the County Commissioners
and engineers, and all officials who will an
swer the questions of the committee and
give suggestions and opinions in the mat
ter of road improvement, while careful |
will be given a compilation
of the notes and observations made by The |
DISPATCH Exploration Committee in their |
extensive travels over the worst roads in |