The record-union., 1897-10-29
A PLEA FOR GOOD ROADS.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE HARD AT
WORK.
Some Of the Reasons Why the Peo-
pie Should Insist on.
Good Roads.

Seth Mann, J. L. Maude, Charles Al
bert Adams, F. l. Vassault and E. 5.
Gray, composing the Executive Com
mittee of the California Goodroads
League, are striving TO awake public
interest in the movement for better
roads To this end they are sending
out addresses among the people setting
forth the economy and advantages Of
good roads. In their October bulletin
they say:
THE California GOodroads League
has been organized to secure a more
progressive system of roads in Califor-
MIA, including State highways, county
thoroughfares and district roads. The
time has passed when it was necessary
to present arguments in support Of the
proposition that scientifically construct
ed and well-maintained roads are es-
seutial to the progress and prosperity
of any community. That is admitted
by all who have considered the sub
ject This. however, is only a part
of the reform work. 1t remains to con-
centrate the good roads sentiment Of
the State upon the details of the meas
ures by which good roads are to be
obtained. and to secure the enactment
of the necessary laws. This is the
work that the league intends to accom-
plish, and it will devote itself aggres-
sively to the task. Permanent quarters
will be opened in San Francisco from
which the work will be carried on.
The work thus laid out divides itself
under two heads-educatiOnal and po-
litical. Under the first head pamphlets
will be prepared, published and widely
distributed. These viii discuss the pc
culiar phases of the road question IN
California arising from it's climatic and
typographical conditions. It is intend
ed that every voter in the State shall
be reached in this manner so that all
may have a correct understanding Il
the situation. Addresses by specialists
will be delivered under the auspices Of
the league. at Farmers Institutes and
other gatherings in urban and rural
districts throughout the State.
"At the last session of the Legislature
the good roads sentiment was well rep
resented. But, while there was sub
stantial agreement as to the general
features of the reforms to be adopted
there was wide difference of opinion as
to the details. AS a result consider
able number Of bills were introduced
with more or less conflicting features
and no progress could be made until
conference was called and a series OF
compromise measures agreed upon
These compromise bills We're admitted
" weaker than some of the original
measures had been, but it was too late
to secure agreement upon better ones
"They passed the Legislature during
the last days of the session, but IN
the hands of the Governor met with
opposition. and again it was too late
to overcome it. In order to prevent
repetition of such unfortunate compl-
cations the views of the league will be
embodied in a series of bills based upon
the experience of other States. and the
information gathered by the Bureau Of
Highways in this State. The political
action of the league will be concen-
trated upon securing the enactment OF
these particular measures.
In its active political work the league
win not affiliate with any one party,
but with all Members of the league
will act inside of their own party or
eanizations TO secure direct and posi-
tive declarations in the party platforms
fayorfng the principles embodied in the
measures prepared by the league. IL
win be the aim of members to secure
the nomination of legislative candl-
dates favorable to good roads legisia-
ton. and the rejection of those unfa-
vorable to such legislation. At the
election no distinction will be made be-
tween favorable candidates, but those
who are opposed to good roads Will find
the league arrayed against them.
In order that the league may have
the strength of numbers it is desired
TO enroll every advocate of good roads