The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-12-21


no pay. In our opinion this is one
of the best features of the law, as
it will have tendency to secure
the services of men who are inter-
ested in good roads at the lowest
possible cost. And it is our hope
that the farmers of the State will
make All effort at the coming Feb.
ruary election to put the law into
operation in good shape, and what
ever its defects are can be remedied
at the next session OF the Legis
lature.
STATE ROAD LAW
AT the last Legislature, through
the efforts of the Grange, the part
which the township and county pay
toward the building of State road
was reduced from one-sixth to one
eighth each. Another change is
that applications must be filed by
May Ist of each year or the MONEY
will 60 to those counties that have
applications filed for more than
their share of the state aid. This
state road law needs some radical
changes because it is impossible for
the State Department to build roads
i'll 81 counties in the state at the
same time, unless it has regiment
of men at Harrisburg. This is too
expensive and slow a business.
The red tape around this law must
be removed. The money paid
direct to the counties. The depart -
ment having the overseeing power
with the right to withhold the ap-
preparation if road is not properly
built. The cost of these roads are
excessive and we are opposed to
bonding counties and townships
for their construction. 1t would
seem reasonable that some cheaper
method could be devised for build
ing many roads which would
answer the same purpose as the
more costly ones. Another subject
that is coming up and creating
greai deal of trouble is the reckless
use of automobiles on our public
roads. 1t has come to pass that
we farmers are afraid to send our
wives and daughters out with a
carriage lest they be injured or
killed. So far the automobile
people have paid little or no tax
toward building or maintaining our
country roads, and while under the
law they have a right to travel
them, we insist that they use the
greatest care.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS
The appropriation to Township
High schools was increased from
SIoo, 900 to 5000, 900 at the last
session of the Legislature through
the efforts of the Grange. Our
common scNool appropriation
should be increased. We are not
appropriating as much to them as
we did when the treasury carried
no surplus, because there are de-
ductions made that were not made
at that time.
DIRECT LEGISLATION
On this subject we quote from
our report of last year. as follows:-
Relative to the initiative and
referendum the Grange cannot
afford to take a backward step
when we consider that this is no
new thing, except perhaps, the
name. Many questions in the past
have been referred to the people for
their approval or disapproval. The
constitution gives us right to Pc
tition Congress and the Legislature
in favor or against measures. The
initiative and referendum in only a
more extended use of privileges we
now possess and its adoption is sure
to come. 1t seems to be a wise
method to overthrow the work of
corrupt officials and give the peo-
pie chance to enact laws in their
interests"
PURE FOOD LEGISLATION
We congratulate the State Grange
upon having secured the enactment
several years ago of a state oleo
law, which, under its vigorous en-
forcement by our present Dairy and
Food Commissioner, has proven
itself to be highly efficient. In
this age Of food grafters it is highly
necessary to have National pure
food law establishing uniform reg
ulatlons in all states. Honest man
ulacturers, as well as consumers,
are entitled to this protection We
favor striking out the word "krow-
ingly" in the Federal oleo law and
insist that no reduction be made in
the tax upon colored oleo,