Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-06
MOVEMENT FOR GOOD ROADS.

More and more, throughout the
whole country, the people are coming
to realize the Importance of good roads
and the real value of the movement
toward the improvement of the public
highways. The crusade that began
with the popularity of the bicycle has
continued now that the automobile has
superseded the two wheeled vehicle Of
travel. If there was need of good
roads for the bicyclist, the AUTOMOBILE
ist demands them almost as neces-
sity. The auto can become one of the
greatest of commercial conveniences,
something the bicycle could never do.
For that very reason, probably, the
bicycle has lost it's popularity, but for
that very reason the automobile is
destined to live long and gain in pop
ularity as the years go on.
But while the automobiles need good
roads, so do the wagons. The differ
ence in the weight of loads which can
be hauled on good roads and poorer
ones is so great that to the initiated,
plain statement of fact seems like
a wild exaggeration. But eve?y team
ster and every man who employs
transfers knows the true state of az
fairs and realizes the benefit that
would be gained if all the roads were
good roads all the time.
The problem of good roads has been
discussed for SO long t;.at, it is pretty
generally agreed that without state or
federal aid it cannot be solved salts
factorily. With a vieH to securing
that aid the friends of good roads
have succeeded in securing the into
duction of two bills in congress. the
Brownlow bill in the house and the
Latimer bill in the senate. BY the
time congress convenes next fall these
bills will have been brought to the no
tice of the public many times and ev-
cry member of the house and senate
will have an opportunity to learn the
general view of the people he repre-
SCENTS so that he will know how to vote
on the bills.
The Latimer bill, which is similar to
the Brownlow bill, provides for the
establishment in the department of ag.
riculture of a bureau to be known as
the bureau of public highways. It's
principal sections follow:
THAT the object and purpose of
said bureau shall be to cooperate with
the various states of the United States
in the construction and improvement
of permanent public roads according
to the provisions Of this act; to make
and experiments in ,e-
gard to the best methods of road MAX
ing and the best road-making mate
rails; to cooperate with the various
states of the United States in the con-
struction of object lesson roads; to
publish and distribute bulletins and re-
ports on the subject of roads and road
improvement; to bring about, as far
as may be, a uniform system for the
repair, improvement and construction
Of the public roads throughout the
United States.
"That the said bureau shall consis.
Of three commissioners, to be known
as commissioners of highways two
Of whom shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and
consent of the senate, in the following
manner: One from the political party
in control of the executive branch of
the government. who shall be the
chairman Of the commission; one from
the largest minority political party.
Both of the aforesaid commissioners