The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-04-28
A PUBLIC DUTY.
The Providing Of Good Highways II
Responsibility the Government
Must Recognise

In the discussion OF the merits OF the
-Latimer good roads bin be-
fore congress the very fTst fact TO be
considered Is that good pads are the
greatest factors OF pront comfort and
convenience ever sent to Sless the peo-
pie OF any land, and that they contrib
ute abundantly To enhance the national
life and 10 Offset the influences that
tend TO concentrate population unduly
In the large cities to the discomfort
and detrlment OF the community Mt
large. Another primary fact is that
where financial ability and intelligent
zeal have striven TO solve the road
question the aggregate value OF prop
erty has been so greatly increased by
good roads that Il is impossible to
overestimate II.
Every one, from city dweller 20
farm owner and farm laborer. has had
occasion 10 bless the era OF the i'm
provement OF living conditions brought
about by well-built highways. These
are strong and eloquent object lessons
10 impress the truth upon the mind
OF every honest inquirer.
We have long ago gotten away from
ground on which the contention can
rest that road-making belongs exclu-
siyely TO local ambition. advantage and
growth. because the highways are OF
universal use. contributing TO national
profit and convenience. and they are
therefore universal in their good re-
suits. Men have ceased 10 think. be-
cause the expansion OF our national
utilities have dlsproven such oonten-
ton, that the burden OF road construc-
ton should rest on the local commu-
nifty. That Is simply a tradition OF
national policy.
Road building is undoubtedly a pub
lie duty which rests upon the govern
ment in some form. The bills before
congress present feasible way to a
solution OF the long-vexed trouble. and
II is gratifying to note the strong SEN
timent in every part OF the country
for their enactment into law. This
proposition offers a policy OF coopera-
ton and seeks 20 bring In the general
SONti hihtHh 90 ~ ihaAVt W WIN III Nbh
nection with any state or subdivision
thereof. the United States 10 pay one
half the cost OF improvement and the
state or subdivision 10 pay the other
half. There Is every reason why the
people or the country should receive
this help. II is not, in fact. an inno-
walton. Government Is ordained for
the common welfare.
The constitution OF the United States
has been found to favor approprla-
tons OF public moneys to promote pri-
vate enterprise and special interests:
to build up the seacoast states through
river and harbor improvements az the
expense OF the inland states; and 10
take OF the peoples treasure TO build
roadways and otherwise improve con-
ditions for half-civilized and un-
civilized inhabitants OF the islands OF
the sea. Surely that constitution can
not be summoned as n barrier against
the progress and development OF the
people at home. Government aid 70
building is within reach II its friends
continue 10 struggle. National aid %
highway Improvement is n national oh
| legation because improved highways
would bring national blessings where
now exist conditions that are hurtful
to national life and prosperity.