The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-31

This state IL nct In position yet TO
appropriate q million dollars for the be-
sernaens OF roads. but n may not be very
tlrne we could profit by the experience OF
other states. Pennsylvania - far from
being as advanced as the age Of the state
would seeu TO demand. but at the last
session OF the Legislature q bill was
passed after considerable discussion
which promises some excellent results
So Ear as the bill Is concerned 1t may
be open to improvement. because /, pro-
vides that the present Objectionable sys-
ten shall be continued until the state is
rich enough to contribute a million dol
lars rs o bounty to the taxpayer fer ac-
nish better roads. Apart from that, how
ever. tie hli in itself has some coed
points.
II provides for the election of a board
OF three road supervisors in each town.
ship. who shall have the power to levy a
road tax not exceeding 10 mills on the
dollar OF valuation, and 81 additional road
poll tax. They Will divide the township
into road districts OF not less than five
miles. each 10 be under the charge of
road masters appointed b. the supervts-
ors. The board Is required to appoint a
OF which not less than one-fourth or more
than one-half are to be required to be
paid In money. II is given control of
road masters, laborers, wages TO be paid.
contracts to be let, and power TO pur-
chase scrapers. piows. stone crushers.
Upon the petition OF the board of road
supervisors to the court of quarter ses-
sions an additional tax of 10 mills may be
authorized IL necessary. Road supervis-
ors are prohibited under heavy penalties
from furnishing materials or labor, or
being interested In any road or bridge
contract, their emoluments being limited
TO $3.50 for each board meeting. OF which
there may not be more than one per
month.
This Is a great Improvement upon the
present system In Pennsylvania, and IL is
contingent upon appropriation which the
state may not be able to make for some
time. II is a long way. however. from
the system which will be necessary before
county roads can be constructed as thor
oughly and uniformly as in Europe and
perhaps as economically. The law is
based upon the idea that the board will
other selfish interest in the performance
OF their duties. but some experience JUS
titles the doubt whether the pleasant
theory Will be borne out In practice.
There never viii be any great amend
ment until the whole system of roads in
the state is controlled and directed by a
central body. and even then the oppor-
tunities for fraud. extravaganza and fla
soritisIn are SD many that IL would take
singularly powerful combination to at
once Insure that the work should be
cofse at the lowest possible price
and that no local political Influences
should swerve the directing board
from its plan. II would be hard to con-
vince those whose property was not to
be improved first that favorttism had not
something 70 DO with 4. Il, matter how
careful the board might be. But IL the
survey were 9irst made and a method ar
ranged that objection could not arise
so well. and when once that idea was
abandoned there would be less chance Of
extravaganza and corruption.
Good as the law Is for Pennsylvania.
eontTasted with what II has been suffer
.ns from. IL IS Anticipated 20 the Western
states. BY the time Pennsylvania ar.
rives at the stage where the state CT
Washington now IL. we shah have ad-
eanced 50 far that the problem OF pubic
roads will be practically disposed o.