Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1903-12-17
THE GOOD ROAD PROBLEM
Should Uncle Sam Assist in
Highway Building?

In view Of the large proportions re
tently assumed by the movement 10,
federal aid IN road building numbe,
tf prominent men in different sections
have been asked to briefly state their
views on the question. From these
statements Il will be seen that 1t is de
clded by the prevailing opinion 1t is
time for Uncle Sam TO take a hand In
the warfare against mud.
President William II. Moore of the
National Good Roads association,
speaking from the standpoint Of mod.
crate advocate OF national aid. SAYS:
Unless the people In the different states
take hold OF the road Improvement cues
ton vigorously and raise local funds with
which to start the work they cannot ex-
pect tho federal government TO come and
dump lot OF money into their Golfers.
But II the people show disposition to
holp themselves and to secure proper
ntate legislation believe tho federal gov
ernment Will come 10 their aid.
Senator Latlmer OF South Carolina.
who Is good deal Of an enthusiast on
this question, says:
/ win tell you why we have not had
any government aid In building roads
during the last scventy-nve years. II Ia
because wo have sent to congress men
who live In cities. They get bills passed
in tho interest OF cities. They have the
hnrbors and rivers improved. What we
want now Is TO have the principle OF ma
uonal aid recognized. We want the gov
la usaf ats.N. =
the money necessary TO Improve the roads
In rural districts. We have a surplus In
the United States treasury, and yet the
farmers In the rural districts cannot get
good roads. The men who have money
In tho cities do not object TO being taxed
for road Improvement. II Ia the hide
bound farmer living out In tho country
that has been protesting. II the farmers
OF tho country will organize and elect to
congress men pledged TO carry out their
wishes they win get national appropria-
tion to help them improve their roads
Governor Cummlns OF "Iowa idea"
fame also has some ideas on the road
question. He Is very much in favor Of
better roads, but is rather inclined to
"hght shy" Of the national hid PROPOSE.
tion. as VIII bo seen In the following
statement;
| believe that good roads are necessary
ana that they are necessary now, and
shall be very sorry TO SEQ this great
movement and all the apostles and work.
ers In this cause halt while we ask aid OF
the national government. The outcome
OF the proposition ~ problematical and
its proprlety doubtful. Whatever national
aid may como In the future-and It may
come and / do not oppose proper and
reasonable adj. for one believe that
each state ought to take up and carry
forward this question for itself without
regard TO national aid.
Judge ]. d. Klllebrew OF Tennessee is
strongly In favor of having Uncle Sam
help the people TO build roads In the
country districts. He says:
Aside from tho warrant which the con-
Htltution gives for tho construction OF
roads In the clause for the establishment
OF post Offices and post roads tho gem
eral welfare clause ought to be sufficient
II there were no other constitutional pro-
vision. There Ia no other one thing that
can bo done by the government that viii
add moro TO the general welfare OF the
people OF this country than TO assist In
the building Of roads, IL Is ono thing
that everybody wants. shall never be
ablo 10 understand why the congress Of
tho United States should appropriate a
million dollars for the construction and
Improvement OF tho highways OF Porto
Rico and devote large sum to tho same
purpose IN tho Philippines and yet hest
tate 20 mako liberal appropriations to aid
In the building ana improvement OF public
roads Tor tho conveyance OF the mails
Tho United States Is regarded by the pso-
plo OF other nations as the most powerful
agent IN nmeliorntlng the condition OF the
people OF the world. In all that is pro-
Erosslvo except good roads II stands first
/ do not wish the government 90 build
roads throughout tho United States. but
20 assist tho local governments In that
work. l should like TO see the entire rev.
onue tax on tobacco devoted TO aid IN
tho building OF good highways In this
country. This tax now amounts 20 over
s5O0O0C0
Hon. William J. Bryan has been
studying the road question, and, while
he Is somewhat cautious about commit.
ting himself, his expressions indicate
that ho Is inclined TO favor the move.
ment for federal aid. He says:
Tho expenditure OF money for the per.
manent Improvement OF the common
roads can bo defended O) as n matter OF
Justice 10 the people who live IN the
country % nH n matter OF advantage 10
tho people who do not live In the country
and (8) on tho ground that the welfare Of
the nation demands that tho comforts Of
country life shall. ms far as possible. keep
pace with tho comforts of city iifo.
II IN a fuct easily ascertainod that tho
people IN the country, while paying their
full share of county. state and federal
taxes. receive as rule. only the general
hcnentH of government while the people
IN TO cities have. In addition 20 the pro-
toctlon afforded By tho government. the
advantage arising from tho expenditure
OF public moneys IN their midst The
farmer not only pays his share OF the
taxes. but more than his share. yet very
little of what be pays gets back 10 the
farmer. People IN tho city pay not only
less than their share. as a rule but get
back practically all ~ tho benefits that
como from tho expenditure of the pcople'a
money.
just to what extent action should be-
taken by the federal government the
state government. the county and the
precinct or Ia what proportion tho burden
should Do buruu lH "a question FOR discus
SION uut thht country ROADS should De
constructed with Wow 20 permanent
and continuous use IL scarcely open 10
debate. The people may be depended up
on ~ ma not only a remedy. but the
right remedy Th& people now realize
that bad roads nro indefonsibl8 aud are
prepared 10 consider the remedy.
Use OF OiI on Roads.
Professor IdmOud OfNpll Of the gtaie
University Of California f. OF the opln-