The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-01-23

: z ip1 lit Ul2ltE ll-titutlpils OF lctGn
ing that now depend largely upon tn,
State for support and development, tn,
additional cost Of such educational ex
pansion would not be serious impedi
ment.
GOOD ROADS NEEDED.
The people of the State have mani
Tested much interest in the subject OF
Improvement of our public roads, and
it is hoped that the growing sentiment
in this regard will soon eventuate i'm
intelligent investigation and appro-
PIRATE legislation. The general condi-
ton Of our public roads throughout the
State indicates that public sentiment
has not favored tax levy for road pur-
poses sufficiently large 10 construct and
maintain the best roadways, even ifthe
money! were most intelIigently and
economically expended. It is a ques-
ton largely of local sentiment. After
a somewhat painstaking study of the
subject, | am inclined to suggest that,
recognizing the right of local govern
ment, where the people of township or
county, desire better roads, the State
should under well guarded legislative
restrictions come to their assistance by
paying share of the proper cost, pro-
viding the quality and character of the
roads satisfy established and just re-
quirement-.
oar growing population and increas-
ing diversity OF pursuits and employ
ment appear TO require expansion in
the methods of transacting the greater
business of the State through its various
executive departments. The several
executive branches which existed at
the beginning have been enlarged and
ampli;ied from time 10 time by consti-
tutional and legal provisions until they
have reached their present growth.
The departments of insurance and Of
banking are of recent legislative cstab-
lishment. Their necessity is each year
more apparent. The conditions which
induce prudent people 10 insure their
lives and their propertymake il incum-
bent upon the State to see to it that the
money thus expended is placed where
the consideration which is purchased
is sure 70 be returned, whether the in
surance company is Il creature Of our
own laws or Of another State or cOun-
try seeking business within or b9r-
ders. so, also, the banking institutions,
trust companies, and building and loan
which invite the deposit
and safe keeping of money belonging
10 the citizens, should be required to
satisfy the State that such deposits are
in safe hands.
BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS.
The building and loan associations Of
our State have proved so beneficial to
the industrial and wage-earning people
that enormous sums Of money have
been paid into the treasures of the
local institutions, and the homes of
more than 50,000 people in moderate
IN this State are depend
ent upon the good faith and integrity
Of the management. The building and
loan association is distinctivelya Penn
sylvania institution, the first effort of
the kind in this country having been
in Philadelphia in 1881. Last
year, according To the official statistics,
there were 5,59S bailding and loan as
sOciations in the United States, of
which 1916 We're organized in and
under the laws of Pennsylvania.
Further investigation shows that last
year there were -, ,0I3 shareholders in
the Pennsylvania associations, OF whom
$, ,iiS were borrowers, showing that
over 20 per cent of the stockholders
used the associations for investments
in the nature Of savings banks. There
are also about 2i0 national building and
loan associations in the land. These
transact business in the
OF over Sf50,0D9, 900 per year,
Of which nearly one-fifth is done in
Pennsylvania. have dwclt somewhat
in detail on this subject for the pur-
pose Of calling attention to the neccssi-
tyof more careful State scrutiny of
these institutions i'm the interest of the
particularly over foreign
In my Judgment the
department ofthe state should
Be enlarged - as 10 include proper su-
pervision OF these associations in order
that the savings of oar great industrial
may be adequately protect
en-. This can be done without any, or
very little, additional cost TO the State.
THE FARMERS CLAIM.
The farming industry in Pennsylva-
MA is by far the largest single interest,
and in every adjustment of legislation
should receive the first consideration.
The limits OF this address prevent the
i SEA sSion of some features of legisla-
tiD1 deemed essential II agricultural
a aivIlcement. | may, however, vent
ure the opinion that if all previous leg
provisions affecting agriculture,
together with those relating to the in
sp .c.iol OF food and dairy products; the
D 'evention and determination OF dis
eas = of farm animals; the sale of fer.il-
lizers; the highly important subject oi
the preservation of our forests, and the
matt n of good pIblic roads, were to be
assembled in one department, il would
not only elevate AMI benefit the agri-
interests OF the STATE, and as
sist the valuable effIrts of the State
Board of Agriculture, bIt also plac. the
entire interest upon broader and more
sive and effective basis, and
at probably little more expense to the
Stat than the present establishment.
Similar reasons suggests the like ac-
ton with reference u other branches
Of the Stat. gorcrnm mt to which il is
not deem Il n.cessary to refer in detail.
| understand that the Pennsylvania
Tax Conference, an organization repre-
senting the leading industrial interests
ofthe State, will be prepared after
most thorough and searching investi-
CATION of the subject, to present report
to the general assembly at its present
session. l express the hope that in
any further adjustment Of the revenue
laws Of the STATE, care will be taken