The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-08
REFORM OF ROAD SYSTEM
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP COMMISSION
HEARS SUGGESTIONS.
Great Cost Where Farmers ''WOrk"
Out Their T~ax-Trustees
and Teachers.

There was a long discussion over the
road question and township schools at a
meeting of the county and township reform
executive committee last night, after COM
munications offering suggestions were read.
A good many communication are being re-
ceived from different parts of the State by
those who nave ideas concerning beneficial
changes that might be made in the laws.
VIM. V. Rocker, of this city, spoke of
some Of the evils that have grown up under
the present road laws. Because of condi-
lions that exist many farmers who would
like to see good roads made are prevented
from having this lone by the indifference
of others, who, while perhaps not Directing
to paying part of the expense, will not a
the affirmative action of petitioning the
commissioners Mr.. Rocker argued that II
powers were given commissioners to assess
the property owners much as the Board OIL
Works makes assessments for street I'M
proyements, the assessments becoming a
lien upon the land. there would be a de-
cided change for the better. He suggested
that the assessments could be paid as street
assessments are, except that he would have
them paid in wenty semi-annual pay
ments. He said, also, that the interest on
deferred payments ought not to be more
than 4 per cent. The committee listened
with interest to what Mr.. Rocker had to
say. On this subject Judge Hackney spoke
of the evil of working out the road tax, in
stead of paying the money, as being an ex-
pensiVe thing for the county, which must
pay the road superintendent to watch the
road supervisor, who Is pald 10 watch the
man working, so That the system is more
expensive than if the mOiey to pay the
mans taxes had been taken from the treas
ury to begin with. Then he spoke or the
fact that. while the railroads are TeDuIeQ
to work out 81, 00,OO0 taxes every year on
the roads, by farming out the work they
get credit for the entire amount due from
them at d saving of one-third or more. lie
had been told that III some cases the rail-
roads had been allowed S4'0O a DAY FOR a
man and team, while they could be hired
easily for 81 or $3.50 a day. The judge and
other members of the committee united IN
saving no subject before the commission is
Of greater Importance than that OF the
roads. Chairman Fortune named ID. b. Lu-
ten, of Purdue University, and Representa-
tive j. NJ. Huff IL subcommittee on roads to
Admiral Brown, chairman of the finance
committee, reported that donations were
being received from those who had been
addressed with a request to aid the work
Sunerinfendent D. X. Goss, who, with
State superintendent d. NJ. Geeting and
Representative Artman, the latter Of Leba-
non, has been working on a school law,
submitted a partial report covering the
township phases of the question. The sub
committee proceeded on the theory that the
school township business should lie sep
arated from that of the civil township, ard
recommended that the schools be managed
by three trustees, two to be clecIed by the
people and they to appoint the third, an
active teacher with qualifications of scholar
ship, holding a license for not less than
thirty-six months. He should be regarded
as the principal of the township graded
school and nominate the teachers of the
township, the other trustees to have the
right to reject his nominees by a vote. This
system, he said, was along the line of that
followed in the larger towns and smaller
cities. The executive committee discussed
this subject FOR a long time, but did not
reach a conclusion with regard to indorsing
it until further consideration is had. Like
by the committee, it is the idea that the
trustees shall serve without pay unless it
Is a nominal sum-say, s. a year-to avoid
constitutional questions being raised.
Last night the fact was emphasized that
while so far the measures proposed have
provided for new officers, they have also
provided that they shall serve without pay.
Judge Hackney asserted that he believed
the cost of government could be reduced
one-half under the changes that have been
proposed.
Allen Ripley Foote'S Talk.
1t is expected that the thirty-minute talk
by Allen Ripley Foote, in the Commercial
Club room to-day will especially interest
those who attended the meetings last week
of the conference for good city government
and those who are interested In the effort
for the reformation of county and township
note. The talk will be at a quarter before
II and VIII continue not later than a quar-
ter after IL. The public, as well as members
Of the Commercial Club. will be welcome.