The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-27
What Is Necessary in Order to Have
Good Roads.

What Is Necessary in Order to Have
Good Roads.
Various propositions aiming to fur
ther the cause of good roads have al
ready come before the legislature, and
Others may be expected; in fact, it has
been necessary to appoint a separate
committee 10 take charge of these nu-
merous bills. This in itself, proves the
publc's growing interest in the prob
lem, but it also proves to practical
minds the need. in the legislature and
among advocates of highway legisla-
tion of some definite plan. to prevent
confusion and to guard against need
less waste of energy.
Among the bills now on file at Harris
tion by reason of the fact that it has
received the joint Endorsement of the
agricultural department.. which is sup
posed to represent rural sentiment, ana
of the Pennsylvania branch of the
League Of american Wheelmen, which
in a general way may be accepted as
VUicing the sentiment of the cities. We
refer to the bill drafted by Professor
John Hamilton. deputy secretary of
agriculture, and introduced in the SEN
ate by Senator McQuoWn of Cleartield.
1t is in a certain sense a Omplomisc
bill; that is. it does not go as far in the
right direction as it would be desirable
to go if the farming interests had plenty
of money and the commonwealth itself
did not know what to do with its sur
plussages But it is probably as liber-
al and as promising a bill as can be
passed under present circumstances;
and therefore we suggest that it be talk
ell as the basis of legislative action.
1t is long bill. too long. in fact to
be reprinted in full; but we give brief
synopsis OF its main features. 1t au-
thorizes the election in eN cry township
of three supervisors, one for one year
one for two years and one for three
years; the same to be freeholders and
citizens of the township. Section two
provides for the organization of these
supervisors into an official board and
clothes them with power to levy road
tax of not exceeding 10 mills on the
dollar of last adjusted valuation for
county purposes. a levy in excess of
10 mills but not over 20 may be made
if ordered by quarter sessions court
upon unanimous petition of the super
NisorS and upOn due cause shown. a
further tax is to be laid of one dollar
ON every male taxable over 81 years of
age. One-halG of the road tax may be
paid in money and one-half in work,
but the work must be according to a
definite plan and equal to requirements.
Each township is to be divided into
districts with not more than II miles
to the district and each district is to
have a road-master, who must work on
the roads seven months each year and
oversee the work Of the men allotted to
that district, observing certain road
plans and specifications as furnished by
the board, and making regular reports
to the board. The board in turn is em-
powered to purchase necessary imple-
ments or materials and to contract by
bid and bond for the making or repair
ing of roads or bridges. The township
boards in any county may when they
wish combine to buy expensive imple-
ments, to be owned by each township
in proportion TO its share of the cost.
Provision is made for the safeguard
ing of funds and papers; and the bill
further provides that when tax war,
rant is drawn for the sum due from
any taxable in cash, an abatement may
he granted for prompt payment, whilt
for delinquents penalties are authorized
These provisions shall be obsery ed by
the treasurer of the board, who is tC
receive in pay any sum not exceeding
s per cent. of all moneys received anC
distributed by him. The taxable VIII,
wants to work out half Of his tax mus
notify the supervisors in writing anC
in turn will receive definite instruction
from the ruadmaster of his district a
to when and where he may work. Fail
ure to send such written notice vii
render him liable to the payment of tn
whole tax in cash. Thesremaning pro
visions of the bill are calculated t
insure its satisfactory enforcement, t
prevent crOokedness and to enable
record to be kept at Harrisburg of al
road Improvement achieved under tn
laws provisions within the state.
1t will be seen that while this bi
does not promise an instantaneous rev
olution of our highways it presents
well-considered ana practical plan TO
the prompt beginning of their improve
ment 1t is especially meritOrious in tina
it presents the subject to the farmers {
the state in such a way that they ca
hardly fail to perceive the immediat
benefits of such a law to themselves
If we assume that $4,000 represents
fair average of the assessed valuatiO
of the farms of this state, here we hay
an annual road tax to be paid in cas-
of only $2G, counting in the dollar po
tax. There is probably no farmer
Pennsylvania who would not gladl
give that sum every year, in additio
to $25 worth of work, if he could HAY
good, durable, well-drained roads.
The friends ut Harrisburg of bette
highways would do we'll to centralil
their energies on this bill, for it is II
one which is most likely TO succeed.
4 short time ago great ado Wf
made IN u neighhoring state because
was alleged that the inmates Of a so
diers home We're being forced TO ct
oleomarGarine. An inquiry was inst
tuted and it was found that the il
mates had expressed a preference fl