The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-09-04
GOOD ROAD CAMPAIGN
Policy Of Construction Favored
by the National Grange.
GOVERNMENTS AID WANTED.
Farmers Ask For National Highway
Commission and For Federal APP
preparations TO Improve and Main
tain Public Roadways.

preparations TO Improve and Main
tain Public Roadways.
The national grange, an organiza-
ton of farmers in twenty-seven states,
with an aggregate membership of near
,ly 100000 members, has for a num-
Der of years advocated the enactment
by congress of legislation creating a
national highways commission and
making liberal approximations for the
Improvement of the public roads. Dur
ing the past year the grange has per-
fected plans for conducting a wide
spread, systematic. educational cam
paign for the purpose Of showing the
urgent necessity for the adoption of a
broad, comprehensive policy of public
highway improvement by the various
township, county and state authori-
ties and to induce the national govern
ment intended to secure the establish
ment of complete system Of properly
constructed roads in all sections Of the
United States.
It is commended 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
r+;r,,,lotn fbo oopcfr,1 o+fo,, of haftar
roads by the various states, counties
and townships. The splendid road sys-
fem of France, admitted to be the best
in the world, is declared to be due
chiefly to the road policy of the French
national government, under which a
corps of highly trained engineers plan
and direct the work of constructing
and maintaining the principal roads Of
that country.
The deplorabie condition of most of
the roads in the United States, prob
ably the worst in any civilized coun-
try, is generally recognized, and it is
urged by the grange that it is high
time that action should be taken by
the national government to bring or
der out of the existing chaotic condi-
lions and substitute scientific policy
of road construction and improvement
for the haphazard methods which now
prevail to so large an extent.
The following resolutions, unani-
mously adopted by the National
grange, give the point Of view from
which the farmers regard the question
of federal aid to public road improve
ment:
Whereas The improvement Of the high
ways of the country is matter of gen.
eral public concern and should properly
receive the attention and assistance of
the national government: and.
Whereas The revenue raised by taxes
paid by the people of the country as
whole should be devoted as far as posi-
BILE to purposes which will benefit the
greater number of the taxpayers in all
sections of the country: and.
Whereas No argument can be advanced
In favor of the annual appropriations by
congress on behalf of river and harbor
improvements that does not apply even
more strongly to the improvement of our
public roads: therefore.
Resolved. That the national grange IA
vorS a general policy of good roads con-
struction by the various municipalities.
counties and states; and,
Resolved. That we favor. the immediate
enactment of legislation by congress maxi
ing liberal federal appropriations for the
Improvement of the public highways of
the country. these appropria tons to be
expended In such manner as congress
may prescribe,
House bill 1887. introduced in con-
gress on Jan. 80. 1908. by Hon. Frank
D. 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 it 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 the,
appropriation stated in the bill is $780,
100000. to be made available at the
Eutc vi plO,OOQ.OOO q ySdA, VI w h4Sh a.
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 it is be-
lieved that it will become law in the
near future.
Under the provisions of house bill
1887 it 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
Dossible act in co-operation and consul