The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1905-03-07
PRAISES WORK
OF LEGISLATORS
Senator Cfum Believes Road Com
mission Bill Most important
of the Entire Session

State Senator Geo. f.. Crum returned
to the city last evening from Boise
where he represented Nez Perez county
in the upper house. Senator Crum has
been a conscientious worker for the
best interests of the state at large and
especially for Nez Perez county. He
has been prominent in the present ses-
sion which Is due to his past expert
ence he having just closed his second
term as senator AS a token Of conf
dence of his ability Governor Gooding
has reappointed him as one of the
trustees of the Lewiston State Normal
for term of six years. AS recognition
of the high esteem in which he was
held by his associates Mr.. Crum was
unanimously elected president pro tenn
of the senate and was made caucus
leader of the party at the beginning of
the session and has by his efficiency
discharged his duties with much credit
to himself and the state. He was also
made chairman Of the committee on
finance which is regarded as the most
important committee in the senate,
having in charge of all legislation car
rying any appropriations, which COM
mittee also acting Jointly with the COM
mittee of the house makes up the
general appropriation bill for the leg
islature. Senator Crum is enthusiastic
over the work of the past session and
believes that 1t has been the most i'm
portant session held in the state. Many
important measures were passed which
he believes will in time work out prof
itably to the best interests Of the state.
Senator Crum came in last evening to
talk over business matters with his as
sociates in the firm of White Bros. &
Crum Co., and he left this morning on
a months trip to West Unity, Ohio,
where he will visit his mother.
When asked last night by The Teller
representative what legislation he con-
sidered the most important he said:
"In my opinion the Road Commits
sion is inaugurating a state policy
which I think will be far reaching in
the development of the interior of the
state. Fifty thousand dollars is small
sum for road building but it is the
beginning of a policy which in time will
be OF incalculabie benefit in opening
up the mining regions. AS the state
develops it can appropriate larger sums
for road purposes.
Untold wealth lies hidden in the
mountains Of Central Idaho. In order
to derive any benefit from this source
of wealth it is first necessary to build
roads to the places where it is deposit
ed. The state can expend money in no
way that will bring such good returns
as in the building of roads into the
undeveloped portions of the interior.
THE commission will consist of three
members with the governor as chair
man. This will mean undoubtedly one
man from the south and one from the
north which will insure the interests
of North Idaho being cared for as well
| as the south. Former legislatures
have appropriated money for special
roads but an investigation will readily
of her just proportion. Under the road
| commission plan every road propose
ton will be thoroughly investigated be-
fore any money will be spent for con-
struction. This will insure meritorious
; road building. and a scheme without
merit will receive no consideration a.
the hands of the commission. Persona
, inspection and investigation, under thi!
system will take the place of charts ant
paper plans under the old form of leg
t islatures appropriating money for spe
, cial roads.
What do I consider next in import
anee to the road commission bill? TIL
depository bills. They are self-explan
atory; they speak for themselves. A
to the balance of the important meas
ures there are so many that l woul
not undertake to enumerate Them