The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-06-22

commercial, industrial agricultural ans
social development and progress
Recognizing this, We have appealed fo'
state departments for roads, undc
competent direction and supervision
also for the principle of state aid under
which the state, by general appropria
tion, pays portion Of the cost O
building the principal highways, thu,
tightening the burden upon the few
distributing the cost, and placing publ,
read affairs under intelligent supervis
ion, Much attention has been given I,
this phase Of the subject, and severa
of the states. within this year. hav,
provided Highway Commissions, anc
made liberal appropriations for the
support of their work. Notable among
these states are Maine, New Hampshire
Illinois, Iowa, and Washington. Man,
OF the other states have taken ad
vanced steps in the line OF modern leg
islation. looking TO the use of convict
and county prison labor in roadbuild
ing and in the preparation Of road ma
terial for distribution 10 the severa
counties and districts, Many have also
enacted that road taxes, or at least n
portion. shall be equally levied on all
property, and further. that the labor
system be abandoned. and all such
taxes be collected in cash, and expend.
ed under expert engineering direction
character and devoted TO the special
direct means OF revenue, and pays no
dividends, has depended on voluntary
means TO provide for carrying on the
work.
There is healthy, substantial and
widespread sentiment in favor of IA
permanent system OF public roads in
this country, including state and coun.
try roads connecting the cities and
towns and rural districts.
The association has stood for the
principle of National aid for the build
ing of permanent postal and interstate
roads and National trunk line highways,
There is a growing and favorable sen
timent for this principle, There are
now pending in the Congress Of the
United States measures providing for
substantial aid to the states in the estab
lishment of a uniform system of per.
manent surfaced public roads, commen.
surate with the needs and demands Of
this great country
While the association has favored
these general measures, it has by no
means neglected to emphasize the duty
of the counties and local districts to
systematize their method Of managing
road affairs by apportioning their
taxes upon all property to secure the
means in cash, apply modern methods
and appliances in construction, in order
that the best results may be obtained
by aligning, grading, crowning and
draining of the earth roads, and TO
begin a system of permanent roads by
surfacing as many miles as possible
each year, that this system may be
throughout their counties and
districts.
1t has been my pleasant and personal
duty to have had in charge all the de-
tails in the promotion of this, the fifth
annual National good roads convention.
wish to especially thank the president
and management Of the Lewis and
Clark Centennial Exposition, the on
cials and members Of the Portland
Commercial Club, the Portland Cham
Der of Commerce, the Portland Board of
Trade, the Manufacturer Association,
the County Judge, the road officials OF
County, the Governor OF
the State, the Mayor of Portland, the
officers of the State Good Roads Asso-
station. the Oregon Development
League; and lastly and most heartily
that human dynamo of energy and
lbility, Tom Richardson, manager
,f the Commercial Club, with whom ]
have been most closely associated in
his work, for the loyal support and
and the many favors and
ionors extended to me by all.
During the past three years I have
leld the position of special agent in
he office of Public Road Inquiries In
he Department of Agriculture of the
Government, rendered by the Hon. Mar.
in Dodge, director. In the
performance Of the duties of that Office
have arranged for and directed the
construction Of some Is or more object
esson roads, and have the very
'leasing satisfaction of knowing from
irect reports that each and every one |
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