The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1902-04-14
NOVEL POST CURRENCY PLAN IS PRESENTED
Senator Mcmillan Fathers Bill Providing for the Safe Transit of
Money Through the Mails-Major Otey Has Gigantic
Scheme to Provide Good Roads,

I posts II to his credit. When the paid
check reaches the treasury department
il is destroyed and a new bill Of similar
character is issued in its place. This
keeps the circulation uniform. There rs no
change whatever in the financial policy
or currency system 81 the country out
side of the character Of the printing of
the bills of s. and under.
IL was part Of The plan of the deviser OF
this system to provide fer the issuance OF
S5s cocco0 in fractional paper currency TO
take the place of the larger bills now IS
sued. His idea was to go back to the ;,
TO- Is and 5o-cent paper currency so as 10
give an opportunity Of sending fractional
sums through the mails. This provision
has however been omitted from the bills
introduced by his friends.
The bill has not yet been seriously con-
s:dered and in the press OF other mat
tors before congress may not be given
such attention its special promoters
seem to think il deserves. Ii is interest
ing. however. as illustrating one of the
rlany phases of proposed legislation.
Its advocates claim that the proposed
system would not entirely supersede the
money order system because for money
over so the cost would lie slightly
,heaDer under the present money order
system Of postal checks as is proposed
would be a great convenience for those de-
string 20 send small amounts through the
rails: and il is argUed that one Of the
sreciaI advantages of the new system
/ would be tie renewal OF the much used
smaller currency and would lead to
r,uch cleaner morey i'm consequence.
Major otey and Good Roads.
Major Peter otey. Of Virginia, who is so
well known in Atlanta. where h frequent
IL visits. is an enthusiastic believer la
| % cd roads. lie thinks that it is of the
greatest importance that there should he
. Uniform system Of good roads in the
states and territories OF the United states
T. the end that there may be increased
facilities for the dissemination of knowl-
edge by means of rural free delivery and
a more free and sufficient state commerce
In bill, whose purpose Is TO provide
such a system OF roads. Major Otey sets
forth i'm the preamble that the people of
tho United States demand gooC roads as
part compensation for the burdens of
taxation which they bear for foreign COM
nsercs."
The major Is not at all modest IN the
demand he makes for This very laudable
enterprise. lie asks that the sum 81
SIs0.O1.ee0 be set aside by the secretary
II the treasury TO be known as the good
roads fund and in order that there may
be no mistake about the existence Of
such fund. he provides in his hill that
the secretary of the treasury may. if No
money il available unappr7priated. sell
l-onds Tor he purpose of this act. al a
rate Of interest not TO exceed . per
ccntum per annum.
With the establishment OF this fund the
secretary n agriculture Is directed TO
apply the amount III the fund II the con
structi3n OF good roads and highways in
the f0rty-five states and four territories
of the nation on such plans and specincd-
tions As h. may adopt being fitted 10
"a cure permanent. good and substantial
highways in the respective localities.
such roads and highways TO be varied in
construction only as may be demanded in
the character OF the material .. the dii-
ferent sections.
All the States To BE Benefited.
Major Otey's idea Is that the construc-
ton should proceed contemporaneously
in the states and territories as nearly
- practicable; provided. that after 81
per capita has been expended in any
state or states or territory or territories
/ no further expenditure is to be made until
work Is completed in all the states and
| territories.
concentration rlNtttulilES must ht Aii-
der the existing laws Of the respective
states and territories ami all damages
/ assessed must be charged To and paid out
| 0G that states quota Of The good roads
I .and IN which the damage is assessed.
/ To the secretary OF agriculture is Civ
| On authority TO organize the necessary
/ force OF engineers to superintend the
| construction of these roads and hign-
l ways. the only provision being that all
Z a
| respective states in proportion 10 popu-
| iation. II practicable.
Provision j. made that the secretary
/ shah construct these roads by letting
/ contracts to the lowest bidder unless n
/ his opinion. the work can be done more
I satisfactorily otherwise. and ne is given
l authority by the bill 10 do any part
I or the whole of the work in any OF the
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