Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-06

IN BEHALF OF GOOD ROADS.
Senator Mander.en Proposes the Formation
OF = National Highway Commission.
Senator Henderson is Of the opinion that
there ought to be . national highway commits
zion. As stated in yesterdays STAB, be intro
duced bill authorizing the creation Of such q
body. In introducing the measure he said:
| wish to preface the introduction Of the bill
by the suggestion that claim credit what
ever for many Of the ideas, some Of which are
quite original, that are embodied in it. Il was
drawn by another and introduce # by request.
There are some of the features Of the bill that
would. think, excite opposing criticism and
perhaps my own opposition, but am in accord
with the general idea Of the bill. I ask its ref
erence TO the committee ON interstate commerce
and desire to call their attention to the i'm
portance of the subject matter involved, which
Is the lettering Of the highways and common
roads Of the country.
ENTERING ON NEW ERA.
In that wonderful progress that has been
made during the existence Of tbs republic
by the building and development of rail-
rosds and the growth OF canals, which latter
growth has received some stoppage in the last
few years, we seem to have lost night OF the
necessity. for the good Of the body polite. that
good roads should connect the great business
centers of this country and connect all its
parts We are now entering on new sra, 40
far the use Of common roads is concerned.
History. it Is said. repeats itself; and have no
question but that there viii be repetition OF
very ancient history in the construction ulti-
mately BY this government OF great highways
or boulevards that shall connect metropolitan
centers and the use thereon of different mod
ern vehicles. Take the wonderful bicycle, by
which man is able to outstrip the horse and
make an average over the common dirt road OF
fifty TO sixty miles a day. No one man can fore
see what will be the final development of that
excellent implement. 1t will ultimately be-
come the carriage not only of passengers. but
of light freight. We are Just on the threshold
of an electrical development destined, l think,
to revolationize conditions Of travel
The GENERAL GOVERNMENT INTERESTED.
By some system of electric accumulators or
storage batteries light vehicles will be propelled
at wonderful rate of speed over these high
ways. As they are matured we viii repeat the
experience of the early days. and the general
government by liberal aid to the states or mu-
nicipalities or perhaps Of its own accord. and
with an expenditure that shall be wholly fed
eral. will build national highways. do not
believe there could be u better expenditure OF
public money than to aid the states in the con-
struction of great model highway that would
New York. passing through the cities Of Baiti-
more and Philadelphia Every farmer aud
producer along the road would be infinitely
benefited
Much suggestion tina. might be made in con-
nection with this bill is contained In letter
tGat will ask to have read at the desk, and
then / will ask that the bill be referred to the
committee ON interstate commerce. and l COM
mend its early consideration to that committee.
The letter is written by gentleman who has
given much thought to this subject.
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
The chief clerk read as follows:
Sir: In a previous letter l have shown that
by the combined efforts of The local and gem
eral governments complete system of good
roads can be built in this country. and the cost
80 iightened and distributed. and so much OF
the burden handed down. with the benefits. 10
future generations, that no hardship will be
felt BY any locality, class or time. Ii is proper
and practicable for the nation TO do its share
of this work and to lend its credit to the local
communities to tighten their share. Even our
government does many things besides govern.
and il has already gone much further than
this. jefferson, Madison and Monroe doubted
the constitutional power to build national
roads. though each urged an amendment 10
give that power: the opposite Interpretation
prevailed, however. Calhoun and Clay de-
clared it the duty of Congress Ito bind the re-
public together with perfect system of roads
and canals. and for thirty years acts for the
construction of roads were passed In great
abundance, the nation assuming the whole cost
In each case. In fact. national road building
antedated national harbor Improvement by
seventeen wears. and was held to give more
equal division of benefits"
In the matter Of extending aid and credit the
government has subscribed to the stock of canal
companies. given Its bonds and lands to rail-
road companies and deposited its surplus
Ill
il protects the issues of national banks, assists
agricultural colleges and experiment stations,
bores wells in the desert and tries to make rain:
1t will presently guaranty the interest on a
hundred millions Of the bonds OF u private COM
pany to build a canal outside OF the United
States. What then should prevent its helping
those communities which will help themselves.
in any part of the country. to build roads that
are necessary for the general welfare.
The government could protect itself in lend
ing its credit to counties by requiring the state
to give the first guaranty and by limiting the
amount in each case to a fixed percentage OF
the value Of improved real estate in the county
as determined by q national assessment With
this limitation and the state and national in
dorsement county bonds could be sold with a
long date and perhaps the lowest known rate Of
interest, especially il they were made good
security for national bank circulation and for
the investments Of postal savings banks, should
these be created. The administrative Qres-
lions. how to get the work done and how to
guard so vast an expenditure from waste and
corruption, are more difficult than all the
others, and their discussion would require too
much space for this letter. Roy STONE.
New York. June 6, 1892.
TO ATTRACT PUBLIC THOUGHT.
81 give this letter this publicity" said Sena-
tor Henderson, mot that indorse all Of its
suggestions, but because / desire to attract
public thought and attention in this channel
All citizens are interested in it. particularly
farmers and producers, who feel the heavy
burden of the present methods OF transporta-
ton. have no idea, of course that anything
will be done with reference to this important
subject-matter at the present session Of Con-
gress. but before the next session closes / think
it will be matter for pretty general discussion,
and shall endeavor hereafter TO present my
views at greater length on the subject"
Nominations by the President.
The President yesterday sent to the Senate
the following nominations: