The record-union., 1897-10-10
new GOODROADS LEAGUE.
FIRST BULLETIN ISSUED AND
WHAT IT SAYS.
Reasons for the FoPmation-An
Appeal Made for Assist
ance.

The new Goodroads League, formed
in September has got to work, and has
| issued its first bulletin, which we give
in full:
ANNOUNCEMENT.
The California Goodroads League has
been organized to secure a more pro-
gressive system Of roads in California,
including State highways, county thor
ouglfares and district roads. The time
has passed whenSit was necessary to
present arguments in support of the
proposition that scientifically construct
ed and well-maintained roads are es-
sential to the progress and prosperity
of any community. That is admitted
| by Ill who have considered the sub
! ject.
| This, however, is only a part of the
| reform work. 1t remains to concentrate
the good roads sentiment of the State
upon the details of the measures 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 accomplish, and
! it viii devote itself aggressively to the
task Permanent quarters will be
! opened in San Francisco from which
/ 1llC NOIh Will DC Carried OH.
| 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 will discuss the Pc
culiar phases of the road question in
California arising rom it's climatic and
| typographical conditions. 1t is intend
| ed that every voter in the State shall
be reached in this manner so that all
may have a correct understanding of
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 a wide difference Of opinion
| as TO the details. As a result con-
| siderable number Of bills We're intro
! duced with more or less conflicting fea-
lures, and no progress could be made
until conference was called and a
series of compromise measures agreed
upon.
| TIL ase compromise bills were admit
| tedly 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 a
repetition of such unfortunate compli-
! cations the views of the league will be
| embodied in a series of bills based upon
the experiences 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
will not affiliate with any one party,
| but With all. Members of the league
| Will act inside of their own party or
| ganiZations to secure direct and posi-
tive declarations in the party platforms
favoring the principles embodied in the
measures prepared by the league 1t
will be the aim of members to secure
the nomination of legislative candidates
favorable to good roads legislation, and
| the rejection of those unfavorable to
such legislation. At the election no
| distinction will be made between IA
vorable 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
| in the State as an active member.
There will be no membership dues so
that there may be no reason for any
| such refusing to join. AS soon as there
are sufficient number OF members in
any county, or in any tldckly settled
portion of a county local affiliated clubs
will be formed to push the work in that
| locality.
While the members will be asked to
pay no dues or assessments the pos
session of adequate funds is absolutely
| necessary to insure successful termi-
nation Of the work of the league.
| Printing, postage and clerical work
must be paid for. and this money must
| be raised by subscriptions. To this
| end ali advocates of good roads are
earnestly urged to contribute literally.
| This request is urged both upon the
ground of their public interest in the
welfare of the State and upon their
| individual interest. The improvement
of the public highways will attract
tourists and settlers, and the amount
of wealth brought into the State will
be limited only by the improved condi-
| tons of the roads.
Better facilities Of communication
will enhance the value Of the products
of the farmer, and reduce his expenses;
they Will increase his ability to patron
ize the merchant and the manufacturer
/ The landowner will find the demand
for his land Increased and his holdings
thereby improved in value. The ma
terial condition of every persen In the
community, whether he drives over the
roads or not, will be bettered. Con-
sidered from the point Of view Of the
community or the individual there is
no investment that will pay better than
improved highways, and the money
contributed to enable the league to
carry on it's work will do more to Sc
cure this end than could be accom-
plishad by the same amount of money
| invested In any other way.
It is estimated that 5000 will be re-
quired TO enable the league to carry on
dts campaign up to the enactment OF
the laws at the next session of the
Legislature. The money win be ex-
pended under the direction Of the Board
of Directors and the commercial and
professional standing of those who con-
stitute the board is a guarantee that
it viii be wisely and economically
spent. They are animated in this work,
not by self infar-ocf h11f hv a cola 1as