The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-03-25

carefully formulated plans for American
highwa, Improvements which have yet
bHtn masa public. Ito has also prepared
a oNl s lying the pfinrples Of his
ecrsAc ipf Introduction ia congress. In
his lei.er NY Siys:
1.-The advocates Of road improve
ment' have succeeded Ia ar0using pub
lie sentiment, but that sentiment will
only crvTtallize INFO useful purpose
around some definite plan Of action.
THE discussion ~ plans is therefore
next IN order. and tile discovery Of any
practicable plan mrst further stimulate
public interest III a subject heretofore
regarded as important. but eminently
hopeless.
I'm this matter three distinct interests
are concerned 1.-The local, state and na-
tionai. Accordingly local. state and ma
tional schemes ~ Improvement have
been widely discussed. but with the re-
suit chiefly Of developing insuperable
objections 70 each.
ITO make this great work a compul-
sorry charge upon townships or counties
is clearly unjust and oppressive, and the
work Is h-selv TO be unskilled and in
efficient. : ate work encounters para
lying local lealousies and difficulties Of
economical administration, while in q
national scheme 10 these difficulties are
added political objections and prejudices
hard To overcome.
1T Is worth while. however. to con-
slider whether these various difficulties
might not he lessened Or removed by
some form Of combined action by the
three parties in interest.
Suppose for example, first. that their
interests in the result are equal. and I Il
the cost or rather the interest on the
cost should be equally divided among
them.
Second payment Of the princi-
pal X deferred for a 4 generation or two
on the combined credit Of the three.
.'TMrl-That a national bureau Of
highways and a national school Of roads
and bridge be established. both as per-
manent ana free from politics as the
army and navy.
'Fourth-That the states have each
an organized highway commission with
a permanent staff Of engineers and in
spcctors.
.Fifth-That the states provide by
legislation for the relocation Of roads
wherever necessary and for their con-
struction BY contract, convict labor or
otherwise.
''Sixth-That any county may have at
the joint expense a survey and estimate
for the improvement Of its roads. made
tnde direction Of the United States bu-
rear and state commission, and then
have the option whether snch improve
mcnt shall be executed or not.
-Seventh-That All work be done un-
der state administration, but with in
spection by a county official and an ap-
peal u government inspection. 1T any
time by this official or BY the authorities
Of a township or a given number Of citi-
zans; All contracts 10 be subject to gov
ernment approval and 10 this ultimate
inspection. such a system would secure
"Eirst--he lowest rate Of interest
uniform IN all the states.
"Secona-The most skiliful work.
''Third-The lowest practicable cost.
III the rate Ut interest should average
ga lcr cent. per annum the share Of
each would be ~three-quarters Of l per
cent.
This amount Of tax would not be felt
by the counties where prosperity for
years would be assured merely BY the
expenditure u so large an amount of
public money; the states would be more
han repaid by increase Of taxable values,
and the nations annual share, supposing
the plan 10 be fairly in operation by the
time the population reaches 5000. 900.
would be one rent per head for each
$1Oo.0o 900 expended. a price infinitesi-
maj for the benefits conferred on the
people AZ large.
Some incidental advantages might
also How IT M this source are
''First-The securities issued would
furnish the needed basis for national
bank circulation.
acknowledgements for labor could be
made IN silver in places where 1t would
stay. and
Third Financial relief, il still need
"a ~ the farmers. would come to them
directly and legi;imately through local
disbursement for labor and supplies.
such a scheme as this. if all its de-
tails could be successfully worked out,
would seem 70 obviate most Of the OBJ !
~lections made 70 separate action in the
rrcrhes and "a promise 4 great benefit
without hardship NJ any class. 1t is at
least worth HE careful consideration Of
the active friends ~ road improvement"
This plan has been submitted to.
among others. Senator Henderson, and
has been approved ~ him.
General stones bill provides for the
creation Of a national highway commits |
sion. composed Of two senators Of the
United states, - be named BY the vice
president: I've members Of the house OF
rcprescntaii ~. 10 be named By the
speaker ~ fhr house. and five citizens,
% ~ appointed ~ the president Of the
jnised States. together with the secre-
tai1es ~ War, agriculture and the in
terror. the postmaster general and the
attorney general. who may be repre-
sentri BY subordinatcs from their
several departments. and an associate
member from each IT the states and ter
ritorics that may by its executive or
lfIpvkvfG1 a. rvnntpf an,