The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-18

Better Hoaus ana other Public I'M
prOvements Must Wait - The
Good Roads Movement So OrEan-
lied That Congress VIII Have to
Recognize 1t.
BY R. NJ. Larner.
washington, March 17.-"There will
be no river and harbor bill during the
present Congress, at this session or the
next. until we get an appropriation
for our goods roads bill"
This declaration was made by Rep
resentative Brownlow, of Tennessee.
while discussing his good roads bill
al the White House. Mr.. Brownlow
says there is no prospect of getting
an appropriation for the good road
movement through the House this ses-
sion, but the friends of the bill are
hopeful that through the elastic rules
of the Senate the Latimer bill may
receive favorable consideration.
The Republican leaders are making
a serious mistake in trying to stave
off action on the good roads PROPOSE
ton. In my judgment it would be
good politics to pass a bill at this ses-
sion of Congress as an evidence of
friendly feeling towards the movement.
The Republican leaders do not seem
10 appreciate the strength nor the
magnitude of the good roads organiza-
ton. 1t is not a party measure, but
it will be surprising to some of my
Republican friends when they learn to
what extent the organization goes.
Organized for Good Roads.
Every element interested in good
roads," continued Mr.. Brownlow, lis
organizing so thoroughly and SO eff
fectively that the men in Congress who
stand in the way of the good roads
movement will be swept out of the
way when the elections come around.
| do not say this in threatening spirit.
but l am convinced that my Republi-
can friends are making a great politi-
cal blunder in trying to stop the spread
of the good roads movement. The
farmers all over the country are thor
oughly organized on the subject, the
Wagon-makers, automobile makers, and
bicycle makers and drivers and all
classes of society understand and aE-
preciate the necessity of good roads
and are organizing in their respective
circles with a determination to force
favorable action upon this great ques-
ton without unnecessary delay.
Roads Before HarbOrs.
"In my judgment it would be a
good political move on the part of the
Republicans to let the good roads bill
go through the Senate now and then
let it take its chances in the House.
OF course the rules of the House are
different from those of the Senate,
and xEOn11d how
curing favorable action in the House.
There is, however, a very strong
sentiment in the House in favor of
the good roads bill, and the friends
of the measure are determined to
block the way of any general river
and harbor bill until provision for
good roads are made.
Il am an advocate for liberal ap-
propriations for rivers and harbors
wherever necessary, but my expert
ence in Congress has taught me that
about one-third of the money appro-
priated is practically thrown away on
little creeks and streams that can
not be made navigable to commerce.
If we could get about 100000 900 a
year for good roads we would be sat
sfed, for that is about as much
money as could be judiciously expend-
ed for the present"
Originator of Good Roads Movement.
Representative Brownlow says that
he does not desire to enter into a
controversy with any one at this time
as to who is the originator of the good
roads movement in Congress. He says
the records will show that he intro
duced the original bill on the subject.
He comments in the highest terms the
able and efficient work Senator Lati-
mer of South Carolina is doing in be-
half of the movement, and he says