Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-04-17
THE MINNESOTA GOOD ROADS
CONVENTION.

of definite measures to bring abou
reforms to relieve business and TIN
farmers from the annual curseand EN-
barge laid upon trade every year b,
y the reason Of bad roads.
In discussing the subject Of goot
!. roads the World-Herald. has called at
tentlon to the enormous losses to the
farmers because no decisive action has
been taken by the municipal and
state authorities to relieve trade and
the farm from this incubus that is a
dead weight to the increased prosper
ity of the farmers and the business
men.
One estimate places the annual loss
to the farmers of the United States
at $500, 100000 by reason of bad roads.
Another authority places the cost Of
hauling from the farm to the railroad
station at 30 cents per ton per mile
over bad roads. This Is equal to
$500 per mile for twelve tons, or
81 800 for 1900 pounds from Omaha
to Chicago,
At a rough calculation there is said
to be 100000 bushels Of corn still
In the farmers hands. This is equal
TO about 1,764,445 tons. At the rate
ofo30 cents per ton per mile, it would
cost $529, 1880 to move this one mile
To move IT 500 miles the cost would
be at the rate of $3.50 per ton, or 1884,
$685. for transportation between
Omaha and Chicago. The cost of
transportation at this rate between
the two cities would be about A cents
per bushel
In view Of these enormous losses to
the farmer and the business interests
Of the country, is 1t not time to give
the demand for good roads not only Il |
state but national impetus?
Why not have such a convention at |
Omaha? II is vital question and |
bears upon every farm, every town
and city In the United States.
The Minnesota convention formu-
lated a system by which It is pro-
posed TO have state system, abolish
Ing the old one by counties, providing
for the building aud repair OF good |
roads by state tax and passed these
resolutions among others:
Resolved, That IL is the sense OF
this convention that the question OF
the improvement OF country roads is
one of the most important state ques-
tions now awaiting solution, and de-
serves the careful and serious con-
slderation OF all, and especially those
officers who have TO do with the con-
structlon Of roads and with the pass
age OF laws looking TO better roads.
That we recommend that all
country roads be divided into three
classes according TO their Importance.
That the first class, TO he known as
state roads, be under the general
supervision OF a state board, so far as
to determine their character, location.
etc. The second class TO be under the
exclusive control Of the county boards.
who shall also have the immediate
supervision OF building and repairing
state roads. That the third class be }
under the supervision OF local boards.
such as TO township or small district !
boards. |
That section o, article D, OF our state y
should be amended so
That a state fund may be established y
Tor the Improvement OF our public :
wagon roads, which fund shall be dis.
lrlbuted to the several counties OF the .
state In proportion TO the amount .
they shall expend upon state roads,
'nd which shall be built as designated e
Dy tue state authorities and accepted u
by them. d
Ihat II necessary To increase such U
state road fund, that general tax y
lpon all the taxable property OF the u
state be levied and applied 10 such n
'und. Ia
Ihat We approve OF a law taxing IL
slits In contemplation OF death and OF
nherltances, and resolved that the
'nicers OF this organization are re. ol
luested to advocate the passage of an al
ot TO that effect by the next leQlsla- u
I've assembly, and 10 urge upon the IN
the propriety and the lust.
less OF devoting the proceeds OF such
TAX to the construction and main. nc
enance OF good roads, "a
That this state should co.onerate nc
WIN The general government I'm nro. W
idlng WAYS and naans g. -. Su