The record-union., 1897-09-12
THERE IS NEED FOR IT.

The successful inauguration of the
long considered plan to form Cali
fornia good roads league was accom-
plished last Saturday in San Francisco.
It was put ahoat by few determined
philanthropic men who thought it best
to organize at once and not employ the
costly and tedious method of calling a
State convention for the purpose.
AS the league membership is open to
whoever sees fit to unite, as it is a cost
less union, and as the invitation runs to
every resident Of the State, it will be
seen that all has been accomplished that
could have been by a convention at
heavy cost and much personal incon-
venience. Such leagues are influences
for good in several States, and wherever
they exist have the hearty good will of
the people. For the scheme Of such
organizations is unselfish. Their nature
is born of public spirit, their purpose is
to broaden, cultivate and unite the good
road sentiment that it may be effective
for good work.
1t was feared that in California the
results of all the hard work of the past
ten years by good roads men would be
lost by inaction, since the unhappy out
come of the last legislation upon the
subject, unless organization was had to
keep alive the spirit of the movement
and apply it actively to existing condi-
tions.
This was correct judgment. Relapses
in reform movements are always de-
plorable and make recovery doubly diff
cult. It was the right thing to do, there
fore to reassemble the friends Of good
roads, and get them into line for prac-
teal work before the meeting Of the
next Legislature. For we have had ten
years educational talk, ten years of un-
satisfactory legislation, and two years
of practical and beneficial official in
vestigation, inquiry and data gathering,
and the report of a code Of laws to set
in motion good road reform. That the
last failed was not the fault Of the peo-
pie. But putting regrets behind them,
the good roads advocates have deter
mined to labor anew for the accomplish
ment of their original purpose.
It is proposed, we understand, to or
ganize leagues in each county to dis
seminate good roads literature, and tc
still further educate the people upon the
economy of good road systems in the
hope that all this will result in some
thing practical being done in the early
future and in impressing upon our law
makers that further delay is intoler-
able 1t is felt that time enough has
been devoted to this great work and that
now we should have something tangible
as the fruit of labor.
This State. probably more than any
other, is in need of just what the good
roads league propose; since it is largely
a tourist State in the first instance, it is
a State asking for settlement by home
seekers, and such are not attracted tC
a country where road conditions make
rural life uninviting 1t is a State ths
products Of which especially demand tht
best road transportation to reach rail
ship and market with least cost ant
damage. These three reasons alone
though twenty others may be given, art
sufficient to justify the agitation the
league says it has in view, and the leg
islation it hopes to accomplish.
The physical waste and financial los:
which the people of California suffer
because of bad road conditions would bt
ample reasons, however, if all other:
We're excluded. We in California nee(
to have the pocket nerve touched and ir
ritated until we awaken to full realiza
ton of the demonstrable fact. that W.
are losing more dollars annually by ou
neglect, than it would cost TO give mos
of the counties systems of highway
that would be all that could be desired
This is a strong statement but quit
easily proved, and it will probably mucl
engage the new league TO set this trutl
very plainly before the people.
The league has adopted the rathe
novel title. California Goodroadi
League" holding that the two words
good roads, by reason Of their much us'
and their relation to the interests of Cal