The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-21

carried them into measures herewith sub
| mitted.
We have also had the advice and coun-
sci OF General Roy Stone, Special Agent
| and Engineer, Office of Road Inquiry
United States Department of Agriculture,
who came TO the State by invitation of
! the convention, and by consent of Hon.
}. Sterling Morton, Secretary of Agri-
! culture.
At our request and without cost to your
! bodies General Stone accompanied sec
| ton OF your commission to the State
! grounds at Folsom, and there examined
! the vast deposits OF road material, avail
! able by the State with a view to its utiliza-
ton Tor the benefit of the people in a
very large territory, and with view of
| possible extension of such benefit to all
parts of the State or by economic utiliza-
ton of other deposits, and their economic
! transportation.
With our knowledge General Stone
! also visited and consulted with railway
carriers concerning cheap transportation
| OF road material.
We have held many sessions, and heard
all who desired to appear before us. We
desire to say that the distinguished and
! experienced Federal official referred to,
| who has knowledge of all road systems
and reforms, advised us that the same in
curry prosecuted by your commission is
J being made by other Legislatures, and in
several States has already resulted in
most gratifying economic advances. His
! conclusion was that the measures we
! herewith advise are wise and afford the
only present solution of the important
! questions before you, and in such judg-
ment your commission concurs.
Our conclusions are in part:
l. That the present road policy of the
State is, in many respects. faulty and I'M
| economic. resulting in great loss to the
people, and the testimony before US is
! that it results also in much waste of pub
| lie money.
2. That the whole question of road con-
structlon and administration is one of the
/ most WeIghty before your honorable
bodies, and calls upon you for the exer-
else OF the most careful aud wise pro-
cedure.
/ 3. That the compile correction of error
! In the existing system is not possible by
/ present legislation, owing to conflicting
! views among the people, inadequate in
formation to yourscommission, and other
! causes, but is TO be accomp lished by
! gradual advances.
/. That as progress is made and accom-
! piIshment had the necessary reforms will
| greatly advance all material interests OF
the people; will enhance values: will
lessen taxation; will encourage desirable
settlement; will stimulate investment;
| promote the interests of labor: reduce the
| cost OF transportation of products and
! supplies; improve rural conditions: en-
large business interests, promote prOduc-
ton and augment the net gains of in
dustry.
D. That a prime necessity is the dis
semlnatlon Of correct information con-
corning economic road construction: ex-
pIoratlOn regarding road material; in
quiry into its cost of production and de-
hVery; inquiry into causes for present
unreasonable cost of road construction.
and advice TO the people and authorities
| concerning the economic methods in good
road promotion.
In accordance with these conclusions.
we advise passage of a measure herewith
submitted by the Roads and HIGHWAYS
committees for us, for the early and easy
Utilization Of road material of the State.
on the basis OF cost production, by en-
ployment OF State power and labor: and
by cost-delivery for transportation to the
people. IhlS IS not TO be undertaken
until such cost essentials are reasonably
assured to be veritles: nor until guarantee
Is given OF sufficient demand for the
material to Justify the Inauguration of the
work.
Seccnd-That the sum of money neces-
sary to that end, and which will give en-
pIOyment TO large numbers of workers.
ana Will enable road construction to be
engaged in without absolutely incurrinr
dept or materially increasing present
! road taxation, shall be returned to the
State in instalIments to be derived from
| slight percentage added TO the cost of pro-
ducSion, exclusive of convict labor, but
| inclusive OF other cost The plan thus
! calls Tor an advance rather than an abso-
! lutte appropriation.
IhIrd-Ihat temporary Highway Bu-
Teau be erected for the purpose OF pro
noting the inquiry and EXPLORATION re-
n nd to aI
mites IN road construction, and to dis
! semlnate information. and to make
| investigation into unecOnOmic methods
and report the facts with conclusions to
! the next session Of the Legislature. We
| are convinced that the necessary exDense
| OF calling such ability aud experience to
such work will be a wise investment and
| will result in great gain TO the taxpayers
| of California.
fourth-The several minor measures
submitted for US by the Roads and Higb-
way Committees, and at our request. re-
tain present authority in the Boards of
! Supervisors, by local option. bring sew
! eral AIDS 70 The people, and generally look
| to Immediate reform; as, for instance. in
! the matter OF wide tires, the employment
| OF local engineering skill or of practical
! road-OGlIders on advanced lines, the crea-
! ton OF trunk roads at general cost and
| the WIDER distribution OF the cost of road
| NOLIStA OSNiOll anu uidIHl6uatlc0, enabling
| the people, when they so desire. to list ali
! property for assessment for such pur-
! poses.
! Your commission. desiring further to
! consider this important matter, and later
! TO report again to your bodies, beg leave
| to ask for further time, and in the mean
| while to advise the adoption of the meas
ures submitted, which we have SO long
and carefully inquired into, without ma
| terial change thereof.
| At O'Clock the Senate adjourned to
meet at 10 O'Clock this morning.