Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-02-18
TO NAME DELEGATES.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF WA
PELLo COUNTY GOOD ROADS
ASSOCIATION TO MEET.

A meeting of the executive commit
tee of the Wapello County Good Roads
association will be held during the lat
ter part of the present week to name
delegates to the State Good Roads con-
vention which is to be held in Des
Moines Wednesday and Thursday
February "a and 25. This will be the
most important convention ever held
in the state from the fact that there
are at present before the state legisla-
ture bills pending which will have
much to do with the condition Of the
roads of the state in the future.
Concerning the convention the Of
ficers of the local association have re-
ceived letter from D. B. Lyons of
Des Moines. secretary Of the state
convention who was present in Ottum-
wa at the time the organization Of the
local association was completed a few
weeks ago. The letter is as follows:
Good Roads Convention.
The Iowa Good Roads association
has been doing an immense amount OF
aggressive work. More than thirty
counties have been organized into 10
cal associations. The legislative com
mittee has prepared bills for submis-
sion to our legislature, which will be
introduced in a few days. We also
view with favor some Of the bills pend,
ing which have been introduced out
side of our association and will recon.
mend that our influence be exerted In
favor Of their passage. The chairmen
of the committees on road and high
ways in both houses have expressed
to us the opinion that not only all
members of their committees but near
ly or quite all of the members OF the
legislature will prefer to delay the fin
al action upon road laws until oul
state convention can be heard from
This will, no doubt, be the most i'm
portant good roads convention evel
held or ever to be held in the state O
Iowa. Public sentiment has beer
aroused recently as it never has beer
aroused before. Splendid speakers
will be with us from outside the state
The date is Wednesday and Thursday
February Is and rs.
This invitation will be extended
through the local clubs where organic
ed and to the auditors of the countie
where no organization has as yet beel
perfected. Where clubs have been OF
ganized, the president thereof, SHOULD
promptly call a meeting not later thai
Saturday February. 20, for the purpos
of discussing the bills proposed and sc
lecting delegates to this convention
| We would like not less than 1000 dele
gates in attendance.
| The first bill follows closely the Ne'
York law. 1t contemplates an apprt
priation by the state, which at frs
will no doubt be a 4 modest one.
leaves 1t optional with the residents {
any county to secure the benefits e
| the law by petition,a 1t contemplate
4 the permanent improvement OF q fe'
/ of our principal highways in orde
4 that beginning maybe made in tn
i direction. Such improvements are
4 be paid for as follows: so per cent b
4 the state, Is per centsby the count
! Is per cent by the township and
! per cent by the owners Of abuttir
4 property. OF course ample safeguard
are thrown about the expenditure
this money and the method OF doir
the work. The second bill provide
] for the appointm ent by the govern'
J, of a good roads commission consis
Ing of three, nonpartisan in characte
:. But one member to receive a state
salary, the others a per diem compe
} sation for time actually employe
These laws, If enacted, will not into
fere with the existing laws or 9th
desirable legislation pertaining to Il
: drainage or betterment of our hig
ways. Nor will they mean much,
any, increase in taxation = probab
no increase, but rather more sy
tematic use of the funds already pl
Il vided by law. In short, we propose tn
: Iowa shall show the enterprise viii
other states are showing. Do not f
= to attend this convention. Cordially
], T. G. Harper, President.
9 D. B. Lyons, Secretary.