The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1904-02-26

The Mississippi Legislature has
passed two bills for the improve
ment of the roads OF that State;
and it l. almost certain that the
Louisiana Legislature. when II
meets this spring. will take slmi-
lar action and improve our high
ways While a very strong pres
sure l. being brought To bear on
Congress 10 induce il to pass one
of the two measures before II IN
interest OF better roads. IL Il un-
wise To- depend altogether on Con
gress. The States and counties
should begin the work. All roads
constructed by them help along
the cause of good roads before
Congress The great progress III
road building has been in Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut. New York
and New Jersey. and in these
States the interest inroad improve
ment il greater than anywhere
else in the country. This is what
one would expect, since the build
ing of one good road naturally
breeds demand for more of the
same kind. All these States are
working on what is known as the
State aid plan, the State co-operat-
ing with counties and townships
in building the roads and bearing
"a large share of the expense.
The good work still continues.
for two important and harmonious
meetings have recently been held
one that OF the Massachusetts
Highway Association at Boston
and one of the American Road
makers at Hartford, Conn.
Hon. Martin Dodge of the good
road office Of the United States
Department of Agriculture adj
dressed both meetings. At Boston
he strongly commended the great
work done by the State highway
commissioners, whom he designat-
ed n the three wise men of the
East" He declared that the Bay
State had set the pattern for all
the States of the Union. and that
other States were following her ex
ample in the adoption of the State
aid. Chairman McCliniock of the
commission also delivered an adj
dress, in which he took strong
ground in favor of national aid. "A
sentiment which the association
received with approval.
The meet of the American Road
makers ut Hartford was national
In character and was very largely
attended. twenty States being
represented, including Oregon and
California. Mr.. Tozier of Oregon
told the convention he had cross
ed the continent in his youth,
travelling $500 miles in a prairie
schooner" and now he had return
ed in palace car to lift up his
voice in favor of Federal aid in
the improvement of the nations
highways. Many others addressed
the convention, including Director
Dodge, President Eatle Of the
Roadmakers. and State Highway
Commissioners Macdonald. The
national aid proposition was in
dorsed with great enthusiasm.
In "A recent report State Com
missioner Macdonald of Come oti
cut says that State is almost
unanimous for road improvement :"
Since 1895. when State aid was
adopted, 1852 ont of possible l6s
towns have had improvements
made under that plan The APP
preparations made by the State
have steadily increased, successive
Legislatures have appropriated
$l5O.OOO, $2OO.OOO, $35O,OOO and
xI5O,OOO. Over 500 miles Of roads
have been constructed. He says:
Our work in Connecticut is SO
similar in character TO that en-
bodied in the various bills for
national aid that / must express
my qualification that the matter
has been taken up by the United
States government. / believe it