The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
KANSAS C0MMENT
THE GOOD ROADS QUESTION.

THE GOOD ROADS QUESTION.
The crusade for good roads is daily
gathering fresh recruits throughout the
United States. Experiments are being
made by state and national govern
ments to increase the mileage OF I'M
proved roads. The press generally mas
taken up the problem.
In discussing the matter recently, the
Washington Times expresses surprise
that there should be single cltlzen IN
city or country who was Indifferent to
the necessity for good roads
1t estimates that good roads through
out the wheat belt would mean a saw
ing of as much in the transportation
of every bushel of wheat from the farm
to the shipping point as Is required TO
transport it from New York to Liver
pool.
AS an aid to the good roads move
ment the office of public roads OF the
department of agriculture is making ex-
per1ments looking to the use OF Varl-
Gus waste materials in improving the
highways. One plan contemplates the
use of iron Stag from blast furnaces IN
connection with preparation OF COM
mon black molasses as binder An
other looks to the use of burnt gumoo
clay. third contemplates the use OF
waste from beet sugar factories.
In this day, when the utilization OF
waste products means the measure OF
success which meets the manufactures,
such experiments may have unexpect-
ed and most profitable results.
If they aid in the. crusade for I'M,
proved highways, they will beneht all
the people; if they mean greater pronts
from articles that are now going to
waste, the good effect will be increas-
ed.
Every newly discovered economy in
roads will be hailed with interest,"
Leavenworth Times.
THE SOUTHS MISTAKE.
There was no break in the solid
South so far as an observer this far
north could determine. The southern
electoral votes go to Bryan just as
they did to Parker or just as they
would to Debs or Dennis II their
names were on the Democratic ticket
Against their own interests and in a
foolish way the southerners seem de-
termined to let their race question
keep them from thinking of anything
else and from allowing divisions or
public opinion on economic matters.
But the Atlanta Constitution has a
different think. 1t says that Taft has
received 1000 votes in the state of
Georgia, while four years ago Roose-
Welt only got 1900 votes. The Con-
stitution argues from this that the
south is writing a political declaration
of independence, and while the Con-
stitution is still Democratic it says:
What the south needs is a few
doubtful states; then it will be in
thing"
There is no question but the Con-
stitution is right. The South would
be greatly benefited by doubtful
states and still more by a few Re-
publican states. The south had a
chance this year to vote for g. Re-
publican that it liked and against a
Democrat that it was afraid of. But
the south is dominated by politicians
who carry the elections by appeals to
race prejudice and failed to take ad-
vantage of the opportunity. A gen
Grafton ago the south was represented
in congress by many statesmen of
ability and independence. With a
few exceptions the congressman and
senators from the southern states now
show marked deterioration. It is a
long ways down from Hill and Nor
gan to Jeff Davis.
Perhaps the Constitution is right in
its idea that the south is going to be
more independent. Taft has I'M
doubtedly reduced the old Democratic
pluralities. But more than likely it
was just because the southern Demo-
Gratis did not try their best.-Hutchin-
son News.