The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-26
FROM THE PEOPLE


To the Editor: Referring to the propos-
ed amendment of the road law advocated
by the Seattle Chamber OF Commerce anu
the Interviews with Mr.. James Hart ana
Mr. II. r. elise in connection Herewith, as
published in your issue of Sunday, Decem-
Der 16 permit me to add to the discussion
a few words, in the hope that they may
be productive of better understanding
of the question at issue.
In the first place, l assume that ooln
the proponents and opponents OF the
measure are in favor Of road improve
ment generally, and that their only ar
ference is as to the probable effect Oh the
amendment proposed in accomplishing
such results. / do not sympathize WIN
Mr.. Harris feeling, that the motive Is
one of antagonism between city ana coun-
try, for that would be shortsighted ana
unworthy of the author OF the amend
ment and of the intelligent and progress
sive organization which has Endorsed 1t.
That there is community of interest be-
tween all classes and divisions in the
opening and Improvement OF public high
ways Is a proposition too well settled
to be denied by any intelligent person,
whether resident of city or country.
In brief it is proposed to limit the ex-
penditure of the general road and bridge
funds to which all of the property in the
county contributes, city as well as coun-
try. TO the repair and improvement OF
bridges and such roads as may be declar-
ed by unanimous vote OF The board OF
county commissioners to be general thor
oughfares." Any one who has knowledge
of the present abuses In the expenditure
of that fund will agree with me. think.
that the plan would have at least some
important advantages.
/. 1t would lead to the establishment of
system of country roads and introduce
unity therein, as contrasted with present
confusion and lack system.
2 1t would consolidate authority and
fix responsibility
g. 1t would substitute business princi-
pies for political ones for it is MOTOR
ious fact that said fund is now largely
used for the securing of political advan-
tage or for payment of political debts.
a. 1t would doubtless lead to the con-
struction and maintenance of some good
roads and gradual extension thereof,
whereas, practically speaking, we now
have none. These roads would be the
ones bearing the heaviest traffic. and in
which most people are interested. 1t
would also lead to the Improvement of the
feeders or district roads, for the farmers.
finding after reaching a general thor
| fare that they could haul a much heavier
| apad than before reaching 1t, would ma
| turally see to 1t that their local roads
should be 50 improved as to enable them
to haul maximum load the entire dis
tdiiSt lfOIH idfIn 10 market.
The country as well as the city Is in
| terested In obtaining these results, and 1t
Is for some such reasons, have no doubt.
and not from any selfish or narrow mo-
| tives that the Seattle Chamber of Com
merce has Endorsed the proposed amend
ment. But there is another side to the
| question. Under the present law 1t IS
| discretionary with the county commits
sioners TO use portion of the general
/ road and bridge fund ito assist weak and
impoverished districts in keeping their
roads in repair" 1t is proposed to do
| away with this provision, except as to
bridges. IL such districts are not to re-
| ceive any part of the general fund, II
follows that they must bear the entire
| burden of constructing and maintaining
| all roads within their boundaries In Con-
.necticut a little less than one-third of the
| road mileage of the state Is included I'M
| der the head of main roads. In other
| states the proportion is less, and in this
| state certainly not more than one-fiffh
| of our road mileage could be classed prop
| erly as general thoroughfaresh In the
| language OF the proposed amendment.
| Therefore the general road and bridge
fund, except as To bridges. which cut but
small hgure In most OF the road districts,
| could only be expended upon one-fifth of
the roads, and the burden Of maintaining
| the remaining four-fifths of the road
upon property lying outside of incorpor-
| ated cities, and this notwithstanding that
| such property will have to contribute it's
| proportion of the general fund to be ex-
| pended upon the limited mileage referred
| to. Moreover, general thoroughfares are
| situated within the wealthier districts.
and 1T results therefore that weak and
| impoverished districts" instead OF receiy-
| ing from the general fund aid as now In
| keeping up their roads. would have to
construct and maintain their own roads.
and In addition contribute to the con-
struction and maintenance Of roads in
districts better able to take care of them
selves
My conclusions are that the proposed
amendment is not only unjust in this
regard, but reaetionary and opposed to
the best economic thought ON the sub
ject II would lead US back 10 the point
which the states Of Massachusetts. Con-
neeticut, New Jersey. New York and
others, after years of effort have sue
coded In getting away from. with results
which have proved highly beneficial and
satisfactory to all interests therein In
my judgment, all the desirable features
of the proposed amendment can be Sc
cured and the undesirable ones eliminated
by our invoking, as they have done the
principle OF state aid In fact the adop-
tion Of that principle would be much
more far reaching than this for IL would
correct evils In our present system upon
which the proposed amendment has no
bearing.
II Is generally conceded that the pres
ent laws are unsatisfactory in their
workings and that We do not get adequate
results for moneys expended The best
thought Of our people snouId be directed
towards the securing Of wise legislation
on this subject. Good roads as a factor
In the increase OF population production.
prosperity and Industrial wealth are only
secondary ia Importance to railroads. to
which they are necessary adjunots, n the
fun measure OF benefit ~ 10 be derived
therefrom. The measure proposed by Mr.
elise viii have one Important result. II
will agitate the subject. which should al
least prove beneficial.
GEO. r. EATON.
EXPLANATION CALLED ron.