The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-05
Martin Dodge Speaks En-
Enthusiastically Of Recent
State Convention in Ad-
vancing the Principle Of
Improved State and Ma
tiOnaI Highways
BrownIoW Bill, Providing
for Appropriation by Con
gress, Endorsed - Proper
That the Government
Should Bear a Share OF
the Expense.

Martin Dodge. director Of the public
roads inquiry. OF the Department. Of az
rIcuIture, participated in the state
Good Roads convention recently held at
Little Roch- Ark He speaks enthusiast
ticaIly Of The occasion and augurs cx-
tensive results from the deliberations.
He says.
The convention was one Of the most
Important ever held in this country to
consider any industrial question. 1t was
large in numbers. enthusiastic in inter
est and harmonious in action. The Legis-
IatuTc then in session at the capitol.
adjourned 10 meet in the great hall
where the delegates and spectators as
sembIcd to the number of 1000
The great questions under discussion
were state aid and national aid 10 road
building. There was almost q unanimous
opinion in favor Of both propositions.
On the second day resolution was
passed by a unanimous rising vote of
the convention instructing the LegisIa-
tuTe 10 pass a law at once Ievyiug q TAX
Of tive mills OF every dollar of taxable
property IN the State TO raise IUud
ent subdivisions in building roads
Government Should Cooperate.
1.-THE opinion also prevailed that 5he
United States Government should be
come one of the cooperating forces in
this great work. and should pay some
share Of the cost required to improve
certain leading highways UP to high
standard of excellence. In this counec-
ton the BrownIow bill now pending in
Congress, which provides for a system
OF cooperation between the United
States and the different States, or sub
divisions thereof. N road building, was
under. consideration.
Among the arguments offered in
favor Of national aid are the following.
The revenues of the United States
Government. aggregaUng nearly $780,
0G0. coo per year. are drawn as much from
The agricultural areas as from al other
sources combined; yet. at the same time,
when IT comes 10 The distribution Of the
fund not more than 10 per cent Of IT
is PIT Out in the rural districts. where
as 80 per cent Is distributed IN the great
cities for public buildings. battIeshiDs.
munitions Of war. harbor facilities. etc.
This discrimination has resulted very
largely from lack of attention and
consideration. 1t Is believed that Con
gress would make appropriations for i'm
proving roads as we'll as rivers if urged
to do so by the people of the rural dis
tricts. This instance was cited as an
illustration of the wisdom Of such a
change
The White River is now being i'm
proved by the United states Govern
ment at cost Of $1,000 Gee. which VIII
result in a slight Improvement in its
navigation that VIII benefit but few
carriers and small number Of people.
whereas a permanent and weI-improved
highway built with that large amount
of money. either along the bank of thar
same river, or in any other portion Of
the state Of Arkansas would contribute
much more 10 cheapening transportation.
would serve many more people. would
increase the value OF land adjacent TO
it, and would add very much more to
the States wealth
Government Appropriations
1T was considered good policy BY The
participants in The discussion that the
Taited States should be called upon TO
contribute a share in this necessary i'm
provemen- of highways This idea was
Endorsed in resolution passed by The
convention. Attention was called TO the
fact shat the Gover1uenr has already
apUropriared $1,000 900 for such q pur-
rose 70 Porto Rico, and another million
10 The Philippines, ana The Secretary
o. War has lately recommended 10 Con
grezs. with the approval q The PreaI-
deHl thar S30U6. 600 should be Immediate
y appropriated for The use or the Philip
zine government 70 be mainly expended