New-York tribune., 1905-02-24
THE coon ROADS AMENDMENT.

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| The good roads cause is prospecting. Arter
thorough consideration the JUDICIARY oolhni'
tee of the Senate has fayorably reported tle
constitutional amendment providing for pond
issue of S5OOOOOOO. the proceeds to be devoted
to the Improvement of the most important hlgh-
ways in every county. The proposition Is lhat
So 100000 shall be expended annually Tor ten
years in pursuance of a definite plan' whcn
would result at the end Of that PERIOD IN bring-
ing up TO high standard of utility ABOUT o
per cent OF the road mileage OF the State, equi-
tably apportioned. Perhaps clearer idea OF the
immense practical advantage 10 be gained by
this project is conveyed in the statement that
If It were carried out not a farm in New-York
would be more than three miles from an excel
lent highway leading directly to a railroad sta
ton. The amendment has already been passed
by one legislature and If 1t is approved again
at the present session it will be submitted TO
popular vote next fall.
There is, In our Judgment, no doubt that the
legislature ought to give the people the oppor-
tunity of declaring their wishes as TO this ex-
ceedingIy important proposal. Two years ago,
when the 1,000-ton barge canal enterprise was
under consideration at Albany, the advocates
OF road improvement on a large and compre-
hensive scale might have brought about fatal
complications, and some Of them were not in
disposed to take that course. But they were en-
couraged to believe that If they left the right
of way to the canal measure at that time their
own case would not be prejudiced by the post
ponement Thus far they have had no reason
TO regret their patience, and it is earnestly to
be hoped that it will be rewarded in the end
Favorable action by the legislature would not
commit the State to the large investment which
is proposed, and which, we are convinced, would
prove to be one Of the best investments It ever
made. The decision would rest with the people,
It Is probable that If such a proposition had
been made only few years ago it would have
been voted down by large majority, but public
opinion has been educated rapidly on this sub
ject, and 1t is pretty safe to predict an opposite
result next fall In the question is submitted
to the people. A convincing proof of the spread
OF the good roads gospel is seen in the fact that
under the existing laws, which provide for State
aid IN highway improvement to the amount Of
90 per cent on local application, the counties are
far In advance of the commonwealth-that is to
say they are anxious to spend twice as much of
their own money as the legislature has been
willing to appropriate out Of the general treas
ury, and the disproportion is Increasing. The
truth is, as we have often said on ample evidence
from every quarter, that this is a movement
which never halts or goes back Every dollar
honestly and wisely put Into road improvement
Immediately yindicates its expenditure and
Droadens the demand for the application Of more
money to the same object. That has been the
universal experience, and New-York, which
started late, is coming to the front in earnest
support Of the propaganda
1t should be understood that II the plan for re-
building the chief arteries Of travel to the adop
ton OF which constitutional amendment is es
sendal, should be put into execution it would
not supersede or In any way interfere with the
operation OF the present methods of improve
hehI Inc work undertaken on subordinate
roads by the counties In cooperation with the
State would go on by means of annual appro.
priatons, and It cannot be doubted that at the
end of the ten year period vertable trans
formation IN the system Of highway communi-
cation would have been accomplished. The
first stage OF progress toward the fulfIment of
the larger project should be completed by the
legislature at this session and further responsi-
bility devolved upon the voters