The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-30
ROOSEVELT ALONE
BALKS GOOD ROADS.
Presidents Disinterestedness in
Way of Improved r. =
Highways. 8
WORD IN HIS MESSAGE 80
81 WOULD TURN THE TIDE
Fine Thorofares Possible with
the Millions Wasted
F. Now.
BY w. w. Jermane, Colorado Building,

Washington, Nov. 3O.-One MAJ
stands in solitary strength between tn
American people and the movement 70
national Improvement of the countr,
highways of the United States.
The department of agriculture. thr,
Secretary Wilson and the office Of pub
lie roads, under Director Logan Walle
Page, has done and is doing all tina
can be done without the further sane
ton of congress. The postoffice de
partment is likewise pointing the way
free delivery of mail. The war depart
ment has, of course, nothing but kline
words for any steps taken in the direc
ton OF better highways. The depart
ment of commerce being engaged in the
task Of fostering trade at home ant
abroad, is not in a position to assume
any attitude toward better roads thar
q friendly one, since nothing else would
do so much for the promotion of domes
tic commerce.
In the country at large the same sit
uation confronts one. The nationa
grange, and thru it the most responsi
BILE farmers of the country stands fol
federal aid for the Improvement of thu
country roads. All sorts of farmers
organizations and all kinds of CONNER
cial bodies in the various cities anC
LoVuS, udFC SOue upOu TSCOIu TO Gue
same effect. Congress itself, in reflection
Of the general sentiment Of the country
has shown more. than once which way
its sympathies lie. .,.
President Is the Man.
But at this moment one man stands
between congress and any action look
ing toward the perfection of national
supervision Of the country: roadways,
such, for instance, as is exercised over
the waterways, and that man is Presi.
dent Roosevelt. A word from him In
his annual message to congress would
summation desired by, every interest
In the United States that moves on
wheels. But the president has never
said word to congress about it, and
at this time it does not look as if he
intended to do so. =, - -
In the language of one friend of
him in the matter, {: it Nbores. him. - In
other words the president, thru some
fault in his education or the neglect
of those whose duty it is to inform him
of the vital needs of the people, has
never become a friend. Of the country
roads Of the United States nor. appar-
entity appreciative Of the huge benefits
the people at large would derive from
easy transit turnout the country.
However, the: department. Of agrieul-
ture has now undertaken work which
cannot fail to inform anyone who cares
to know about the prodigal wasteful-
ness of the present system of caring
for the roads Of the country, and the
inestimable benefits to be derived from
q sane use Of the money now expended
thereon. ~~' '~s.' - "''--'. 800 So
- Millions Spent, Little Done. -
The department has called upon the
proper officials of the various states
for information as to the amount
raised for the country roads of the
state each year, the total mileage of
really permanent improvement SO far
achieved. and such other information
as will show how much money is being
regularly thrown away in ineffective
dallying with what many regard as a
matter affecting the happiness and Wei.
fare of more people than any other Of
our times. =
At the present writing the depart
ment has heard from only seventeen
states and territories, but from these
1t is possible to form an opinion Of
Taking. these seventeen reports as a
basis, it is to be demonstrated that
thruout. the United States something
more than $76,000,O00 is spent every
year upon the country roads, a sum
so vast that if it were intelligently
and economically applied, would in a
IeW yea years Is. cover -, every country high
a macadam surface. .'l-- :
:, And yet, altho this expenditure has
been going on for many years. the total
mileage OF really improved country
highway. is so infnitesimal as to cali
for nothing but a derisive laugh at the
Boosted intelligence of the America
people. There is no other example in
the. civilized world of the present dav-
nor IN the pages Of history of such
q stupendous sum cast away never to
be- recovered. The reckless perform
ances OF Thousand Neros would be as
postage stamp on a large envelop in
comparison. 70, - 49, :
How to Interest President. ,-.
How, the president and congress are
to be led up to this great question is
something for those most directly az
fected by it to study. The case does
not present insurmountable difficulties.
The arguments in favor of fine high
ways thruout the country are p1entifu l
and unanswerable, but to, have weight
0A0J ntuoC 10 pIeScHGeu IN a way to
carry all the weight of all the people
to be benefited which, if they are
presented right, will mean all the peo-
pie, in the United States, in both town
and country. K -..7 =. !
There are some few men in congress
who have given the question attention
and who understand it's Importance, and
there are many who have enough Of an
understanding to realize that it is a
very big thing. but nothing has ever
been done to bring it before the entire
country in a way to make it assume its
proper place among the great issues Of
the day. To, do this there must be har-
monious and enthusiastic action on the
part-of business men in town and coun-
try, OF farmer and manufacturer, mer-
chant and gardener, Of the grange and
the commercial bodies Of the cities.
The vast object lesson in economics
taught by France and her nlacadam
people of this country and made to
bear down upon the intelligence of
American; statesmen, go that they will
appreciate the money and the comfort
that comes as the certain heritage of
perfect; transportation facilities for all.