Connecticut western news., 1908-11-26
STATE CONTROL OF HIGHWAYS
SOME ARGUMENTS IN ITS FAVOR
The Coming of the Automobile has Made if Difficult to Keep Roads in Repair-State is Already Giving Much Help.

The good roads proposition is engag- ing the attention of the people of Con- necticut more and more each year and it is well. In some places the Boards of Trade are taking the matter up for con- sideration and are discussing the advisa- bility of placing the main highways of the state into the full jurisdiction of the state, rather than leaving them in the control of the towns through which they run. This may be a matter to be taken up at the forthcoming seselon of the General Assembly and it will be in teresting to note what reception a bill to change the control of the highways will receive. The impoverished conditions of the finances of many towns makes if impossible for the n to improve the high ways to tho extent they should aud even now they are receiving some help from the state by way of an annual appropri- atlon. It is fact that in a majority of the small towns the care of the high ways has become involved in the poliri- cal machinery of the towns and it is un- likely that the selectmen of many of the towns would care to sacrifice certain prestige they maintain in the voting ranks. by losing control of the letting out of the work on the roads. From this source it is expected that there would be a protest against any change ill the law. Notwithstanding there are many reasons to believe that we are working towards state control of the highways. The state is making heavier appropriations for the maintenance of missioner is, therefore, naturally much interested in how the money shall be ex- pended. Having two factors in control of the highway situation may likely enough lead to confusion and cenfiictlon of opinion in the matter of how the work shall be done. Since the state is lending such strong hand toward the improving Of the condition of the lead ing and trunk highways passing through it, it would seem perfectly proper that it's powers be extended in jurisdiction over such highways. The appearance of the automobile has proven serious problem in the small towns of the state which have found that the motor car has been tearing the roads to pieces about as soon as they are constructed To keep the roads in good condition with this obstacle, it has been found, is beyond the reach of the public treasuries of the towns, They are naturally look ing to the State Highway Commissioner to remedy the evil. If such important things arise to cause the State Highway Commissioner to act. it suggests at once the drift of things and the possibility of the state having full control of the lead fng highways. The state control pro- ject, were it put in force, would relieve the towns of troublesome burden in the management of the highways and they could pay road tax direct to the state. This would prevent any dissatis. faction on the part of property owners "Ho MlBh1 ouJeCb uoW GO the care tnelr selectmen are giving to the highways.
 It is an important matter and moro will probably be heard of 1t.
 The above is the view of the matter taken by the Norwich, Conn. Board of Trade and while it recites various truths, we are inclined to believe that the refer ences made to the selectmen passing out patronage in the way of road contracts is not generally true, at any rate not in northwestern Litchfield although it is possible such conditions exist in other parts of the state.