The Portland daily press., 1892-03-21
COOPERATION IN BODYBUILDING.

carefully IoIA A'Assns IOS Aiueflctsn
highway improvement which have yet
been made public. He has also prepared
= hin employing the principles & his
scheme for introduction in congress. In
his letter he says: !
e.The advocates Of road improve
ment' have succeeded in arousing pub
liz sentiment but that sentiment will
only crystalline into useful purpose
around some definite plan Of action.
ssThe discussion Of plans is therefore
next in order, and the discovery of any
practicable plan must further stimulate
nublic interest in subject heretofore
regarded as important, but eminently
hopeless.
aIn this matter three distinct interests
are concerned-the local, state and ma
tional. Accordingly local, state and ma
tional schemes Of Improvement have
been widely discussed, but with the re-
suit chiefly Of developing insuperabIe
objections to each.
ssTo make this great work a compul-
sory charge upon townships or counties
is clearly unjust and oppressive, and the
work is likely to be unskilled and in
efficient. State work encounters para
living local jealousies and difficulties Of
economical administration, while in a
national scheme to these difficulties are
added political objections and prejudices
hard to overcome.
'It is worth while, however, to con-
slider whether these various difficulties
might not be lessened or removed by
some form of combined action by the
three parties in interest.
Suppose, for example, first, that their
interests in theresult are equal, and that
the cost or rather the interest on the
cost should be equally divided among
them.
'Second-That payment of the princi-
pal be deferred for generation or two
on the combined credit of the three.
"Tlird-That national bureau of
highways and national school of roads
and bridges be established, both as per-
manent and 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
spsctors.
ssF'ifth-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 survey and estimate
for the improvement Of its roads, made
under direction of the United States bu-
reau and state commission, and then
have the option whether such improve
ment shall be executed or not.
Seventh That all work be done un-
der state administration, but with in
spection by county official and an ap-
peal to government inspection at any
time by this official or by the authorities
Of township or given number of citi-
zens; all contracts to be subject to gov.
eminent approval and to this ultimate
inspection. Such system would secure
sFirst-The lowest rate Of interest
uniform in all the states.
ssSecond-The most skillful work.
"Third-The lowest practicable cost.
eff the rate of interest should average
214 per cent. per annum. the share Of
each would be three-quarters of pei
cent.
'.This amount of tax would not be fell
by Tie counties where prosperity fol-
years would be assured merely by the
expenditure Of SO large an amount Of
public money; the states would be more
than repaid by increase Of taxable values
and the nations annual share, supposine
the plan to be fairly in operation by the
time the population reaches $4,000, 900
would be one cent per head for each
| 800, 1000 expended, price infnitesi
NAL for the benefits conferred on the
people at large.
s'Some incidental advantages might
also flow from this source are
"First-The securities issued would
furnish the needed basis for nationa,
bank circulation.
"Second-Payments for labor could be
made in silver in places where it woul6
stay, and
s.Third-'Financial relief, if still need
ed by the farmers, would come to them
directly and legitimately through loca
disbursements for labor and supplies.
"Such scheme as this, if all its de
tails could be successfully worked out
would seem to obviate most of the OBJ
jections made to separate action in tht
premises and to promise great benefit
without hardship to any class. 1t is a
least worth the careful consideration O.
the active friends ofroad improvement.
This plan has been submitted to
among others, Senator Henderson, ane
has been approved by him.
General Stones bill provides for thu
creation of national highway commits
sion, composed of two senators of thu
United States, to be named by the vic'
president; five members Of the house O.
representatives, to be named by thu
speaker Of the house, and five citizens
to be appointed by the president of thu
United States, together with the secre
taries of war, agriculture and the in
terror, the postmaster general and thu
attorney general, who may be repre-
sented by subordinates from theil
several departments, and an associate
member from each of the states and ter