The record-union., 1895-09-25

IT looks very InucH aS IL IaIlIOrHid Is
not to be represented in the National
Road Parliament to be held at Atlanta
next month. All the State Commissions
on Roads will be represented there ex-
cept California. The Federal Govern
ment called and is promoting the Parlia-
ment, and is to make there a road mate
rial and road construction exhibition.
More of value in the way of information
will be gained there in one week than by
correspondence for year, or by personal
vistations to the commissions of the
several States. But the California Board
Bureau of Highways the privilege of
sending one of its number TO that convo-
cation. 1t had no hesitancy in permit
ting Prison Warden to attend prison
convention, and it permitted State edu-
Gator at State cost 10 attend teachers
convention. 1t is a serious mistake on
the part of the Examiners to refuse the
bureau Their duty is to see that the
money set apart for the use of the bureau
is not diverted from the purposes for
which 1t is appropriated. But it was
never contemplated that the Examiners
should define the policy of the bureau
and outline and direct its work. On the
contrary, it was created to act upon its
own judgment, and to do and perform as
its experience, Judgment and examina-
ton shall determine. 1t has resolved
that it is of first Importance to be repre-
scented at the parliament, but the Exam
iners say: at is a useless expense" We
submit that this is going outside Of the
Jurisdiction of the board, and is an as
rauted. If persevered in it will cripple
the work of the bureau. If the board
may say 10 the bureau I'VE think it uce-
less for you TO consult at Atlanta with all
tho commissions of other States, and
there gain Information that you deem of
value to California" it may say that any
other work of the bureau is useless or
advised, and thus the Board of
Examiners becomes the Bureau of
doue well. 1t has made its county
visitations far more economically than
the authors of the bill or the MEM
bers OF the Joint Legislative Com mission
on Roads, which created the scheme of
the bureau, thought possible The bureau
is pursuing its work intelligently and
with q purpose that seems 10 us TO be
strictly within the scheme of the law
creating it. 1t cannot exceed its appro-
prlation by any possible expenses, and
there is nothing as yet to indicate that it
intends 10 do so. 1t is as yet far within the
limit of its permissible expense per
month. Why, then, should it be discour-
aged and hampered by the Board of Ex-
aminers? Yet its members are free to
say that its usefulness will be sadly Grip
pied if the present policy of the Ex-
aminers is adhered to. For instance, the
bureau has judged. after careful study of
the situation, that it can better promote
its work of inspection and visitation by
driving over the roads of the counties
than by pursuing fixed routes of travel;
but it is said that on this point the Ex
aminers have declared that to drive over
the routes is 'extravagance." though the
bureau insists that it is actually much
cheaper than to travel by stage coach.
rail and steamboat, and that its bills
prove il. 1t is very much to be regretted
that any issues OF this order should have
arisen between the TWO boards, ana 1t is
to be hoped that the differences will be at
once adjusted and the bureau be allowed
to pursue its policy, so long as it is not
wasteiul and neglecilul.