The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-21

Mayor w. d, Wood is very much inter
ested in the recent movement toward good
roads. he aas given the matter some
thought in a general way, and his ideas
viii be found worthy OF consideration.
ITO talk about the desirability OF good
reads" he said yesterday. is good deal
like undertaking 10 defend the golden
rule. Everybody recognizes the need OF
better roads. We can never grow wealthy
as 4 state until We begin 10 keep our
money at home, by producing for our
selves everything that or climate will
permit. We must have roads 10 develop
our farming districts. Our cheap water
transportation makes it all the more nee
essary that our home farmers should
have good roads. At present it is cheap
er TO bring produce from California by
steamer than 10 haul il by wagon for
twenty miles over the average Washing
ton wagon road
THE road question must be, for a time,
a campaign of education. We know what
Ne want but are not agreed as 10 the
methods for securing it. The road ques-
ton is pressing Itself upon the attention
OF every state in the Union. Cities are
retarded In growth because their tribu-
tary farming districts are cut off from
them by poor roads. This IS not a ques-
ton for the farmers TO settle alone. Ev-
cry man who depends on general pros
perity is directly interested.
THE state OF Washington, and especi-
ally Western Washington. should move
IN the matter at once. We all KNOW that
our cities cannot grow rapidly unless the
country is developed, so as 10 send out OF
the state, and so as 10 furnish to us here,
more raw material. The state as a whole
and every county IN Il should take up the
question. We will probably need TO issue
bonds for the building OF permanent
roads hen We are ready for IL. But we
are certainly not ready for that step yet.
We need first 20 develop practical and
economical system of constructing and
maintaining roads. If we were 10 provide
a large fund for immediate use In road
building Il would take the course of the
millions Of dollars already spent on roads
and be largely lost.
we must get the road system out of
politics. especially out OF local politics,
and place Ii upon a Business basis. We
now build bridges. 20 have 80 per cent. OF
them washed away within a few winters.
We build roads without regard to general
plans or questions OF engineering, but ac-
cording TO the whims or selfishness of peo-
pie IN tho different road districts. Such
roads are abandoned and relocated over
and over again our present system OF
working out road taxes is an ingenious
plan for cheating ourselves out Of good
roads as long as Il Is adhered TO. II is
a notorious fact that every dollar Of road
tax that Is worked out Is half lost. do
not criticise anybody in particular We all
do Il. one dollar in cash expended upon
the competitive contract plan, under COM
petent and impartial officers to super
wise location and construction. viii accom-
plish more than g under our present sys-
tenn OF road work and local supervisorship.
When We learn how 10 locate roads prop
eriy and 10 construct and maintain them
economically there viii he no trouble
about the money. The people OF the state
will give unanimous support 10 a feasible
proposition The raising Of money will be
the last and easiest phase OF the question.
The real tuR-of-war will arise when tho
local road supervisor is asked to give up
his grip or his JOB and when the farmers
In the country districts arc asked 20 pay
their road taxes in cash. 10 be expended
in a business-hke way. instead OF being
allowed 10 work them out as at present
We shoad leave the money part OF Il
alone fer the present. Let US first con-
vince the county commissioners, the road
supervisors and the men who work out
their road taxes that the present system IS
a gigantic failure and must be given Up
absolutely When that point Is attained
We VIII then be able 20 secure proper road
Conut ssioners and road engineers 20 he
appointed hy state and county officers on
account OF their qualifications only. and
for long terms OF Office.
Taxpayers IN the cities should bear in
IA II that they VIII De very much inter
cstea as taxpayers. II no, otherwise. in any
general levy for road purposes For in.
stance = q tax were levied ~ King county
or bonds We're issued Tor road purposes,
the cirr ~ Seattle would have 10 paw
about = per cent. ~ the tax or bonds In
this colaty, that being the cty's proper
ton - the assessed valuation Ga the coun-
- : believe the city should hear IT'S PRO
portion ~ road expense. because me De-
ve.opfnert ~ the country districts viii
HEN thc c'ty r IS 20 be ho0ef that che
business u'eu and taxpayers - Seattle viii
take an active part 3n che state roads con
vs0t5er. 90 na he!3 az the Chamber ~ COM
rnerce rooms .u this city, December IS"