The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-02-26
BROWNLOW ROAD BILL.
1t Provides for GOvcrnmcnt and state
Aid Toward Duilding of sound
Highways.


Representative Brownlow, of Ten
nessee, is taking an active interest
in his bill which appropriatcs S2O,.
100000 for the improvement of the
public roads of the country. 1t is
what is known as the Good Roads
Bill" In recent years the people OF
the south have shown CONNIE uda.
BILE determination to improve the
public highways. The matter has
been discussed frequently at good
roads conventions, meetings of farm
ers and by organized bodies. Mr..
Brownlow said recently that in a
short while there would be good
roads organization in every county
in the United States. With this as
backing, he feels that there is more
hope for the bill than would be sup
posed. Among the more ardent
champions of the measure is Repre-
sentative Hepburn, of Iowa, one OF
the most influential republicans OF
the house. The entire Maryland del
egaton is in favor of the bill as well
as the delegations from most of the
Inluule western states.
The bill provides for the appropri-
alton of $2O,000,OO0 for the improve
ment of the roads, the plan being for
the state and county, where the inn
provement is made, to furnish halt
the cost, the general government pay
ing the other half.
After this movement has been sue
cessfully launched each congressman
will have a pressure brought to bear
upon him by his constituents that
will be a powerful incentive to him
to vote for the bill. 1t is a matter
appealing directly to the country
constituent and to the agricultural
classes. That they will generally fa-
vor it goes without question and
members of congress representing
rural districts are already receiving
appeals to vote for the bill.
There is no reason why the bill
should not pass" said Representative
Brownlow, recently, although [ re-
ali2e that the matter must be worked
up gradually. AS soon as the coun-
try is aroused on the subject you will
find that all the country people will
be for the bill. 1t is well-known
fact that nearly all the public money
spent for Improvements goes to the
cities, where all the public buildings
are located. The country people are
not getting their share of it. About
the only incentive they have to inn
prove the roads is the rural free de-
livery service. This has aided the
cause considerably, but other help is
needed.
"lf congress can appropriate money
for the improvement of rivers and
harbors, there is no reason why ap-
preparation should not be made for
the improvement of the public high
ways, which are just as useful to the
people. Congress has spent $444,000..
600 for the improvement of rivers and
harbors and not a cent for the inn
provement of roads. The rivers and
harbors bill passed at the last session
of congress carried a total that was
equivalent to a per capita tax of one
dollar on the citizens of the United
States. No state or county, or both
combined, levies such n tax on tho
people. OF course, the improvement
of the rivers is all right and should
be undertaken, but at the same time
! believe some of the money could
be most advantageously used for the
betterment of the public roads,
Louisville Courier-Journal.