The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1908-07-29
GOOD ROAD Campaign
Policy Of Construction Favored
by the National Grange:
GOVERNMENTS AID WANTED.

1
The national grange. an organiza-
ton OF farmers In twenty-seven states,
with an aggregate membership of near
ly 100000 members, has for num-
Der of years advocated the enactment
by congress OF legislation creating
national highways commission and
making liberal appropriations for the
Improvement of the public roads. Dur
ing the past year the grange has per-
fected plans for conducting wide
spread, systematic, educational cam
paign for the purpose of showing the
urgent necessity for the adoption of n
broad, comprehensive policy Of public
highway improvement by the various
township, county and state 9uthori
ties and to induce the national govern
ment to lend its assistance to move
ment intended to secure the establish
ment of complete system of properly
constructed roads in all sections of the
United States.
1t Is contended by the members OF
the grange that the improvement of
our highways is fully as deserving
OF federal appropriations as is the
Improvement of our waterways and
that the work Of the proposed national
highways commission would greatly
stimulate the construction OF better
roads by the various states, counties
and townships. Tho splendid road sys-
TEN OF Franco, admitted to be the best
In the world, Is declared to BIO due
chiefly to the road policy OF the French
national government, under which II
corps OF highly trained engineers plan
and direct tho work of constructing
and maintaining the principal roads of
that country.
The deploPable condition of most of
the roads In the United States, prob
ably tho worst In any civilized coun-
| try, is generally recognized. and 1t Is
urged by the grange that 1t is high
| time that action should be taken by
the national government to bring or
der out of the existing chaotic condi-
tions and substitute scientific policy
of road construction and Improvement
| for the haphazard methods which now
prevail to 30 large an extent.
The following resolutions, unani-
mously adopted by the National
| BTunBcI give lne pOihb Vi fiSm hhOiA
which the farmers regard the question
OF federal aid to public road improve
ment:
Whereas. Tho improvement OF tho high
| ways of the country is matter OF Gon-
| ernl public concern and should properly
receive the attention and assistance OF
tho national government; and.
Whereas. Tho revenue raised by taxes
paid by tho people OF the country as a
| whole should be devoted as far as poRsi-
BILE to purposes which Will benefit the
greater number OF the taxpayers in all
sections Of the country; and,
| Whereas, No argument can bo advanced
In favor OF the annual appropriations by
| congress on behalf OF river and harbor
improvements that does not apply even
| moro strongly to the Improvement OF our
public roads; therefore.
| Resolved, That tho national grange fa-
vors a general policy Of good roads con-
| struction by tho Various municipalities.
| counties and statcs: and.
Resolved, That wo favor tho Immediate
/ enactment OF legislatIon by congress max
ing liberal federal appropriations for tho
/ Improvement OF tho public highwaya OF
tho country. these appropriations TO DO
expended in such manner as congress
may prescribe
House bill 1887, introduced In con-
gress on Jan. 80. 1908. by Hon. Frank
ID. CurrIer OF New Hampshire, which
embodies the views OF the national
grange on this subject, provides for
the creation OF national highways
| commission and for the construction,
improvement and maintenance OF pub
lie highways. 1t differs from the nu-
merous bills on that subject now pend
Ing before congress In that 1t provides
for the direct expenditure OF the pro-.
/ posed appropriation in road construc-
ton and improvement by the national
government, acting In cooperation
with the state highways commission or
/ other authorities having supervision of
the public roads. The amount of tho
appropriation stated In the bill is $780,
OO0yO 600, to be made available at the
rate of $4,000 600 year, Of which at
least 100000 Is to be expended in each
state at the rate OF not less than $780,
600 annually.
The members of the grange and the
farmers In general In all sections OF
the country are vigorously demanding
the enactment OF this bill, and 1t is be-
lieyed that 1t Will become law in the
near future.
Under the provisions of house bill
1887 1t Will be possible for the ma
tional highways commission to apply
the appropriations provided for in that
measure to the construction. improve
ment or maintenance Of any public
road in any section OF the country
since all roads connect with or lead
into some other road used In interstate
commerce. 1t is provided in the bill
that the commission shall, as far as
possible, act In cooperation and consult
tation with the authorities having
charge of the construction and i'm
provement of the public highways of
the several states, and in accordance
with this provision the distribution of
the amounts appropriated will be gov
erned by the wishes of the people of
the states, acting through their public
road officials. Under this policy there
will be no danger of some roads In GER
tain sections Of the country receiving
more thar their fair share Of the fed.
eral appropriation since the people Of
IN no