The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-06-08
JOIN CRUSADE
FOR GOOD ROADS
in CALIFORNIA
Representatives of Seventy-two
Organizations Enlist in
Cause
Rally at Santa Cruz to Result
in Fight for Better State
Highways
Prominent Men Express Views
on Legislation Needed
for Purpose
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL


SANTA CRUZ, June The busi-
nessmen and commercial organiza-
tions of California have officially en-
listed in the good roads cause. They
are determined to secure legislation
to improve the highways of the state
and have united in compact organiza-
ton. When the delegates to the
good roads" meeting of the counties
committee of the California Promo
ton committee leave for their homes
II commercial organizations of the
state will have brought to their atten-
ton the pressing cry of the commu-
nifty and demand Will be made upon
them for action. The unanimity of
opinion throughout the state for good
roads legislation and action is best
shown in a symposium of opinion
taken from among 10 farmers, capital
lists. businessmen and politicians.
BEST PRACTICAL WAY
The question was asked, What is
the best practical way to get good
roads for California;" and the follow
ing answers were given:
l.. p. LOWE, president Automobile
Association of CaIifornia-Tax all We
hfcles and then have the money used
for road fund. 1 am sure that will
bring the desired result and no auto
mobilist or wagon owner anywhere
could object to such a tax IL he knew
the money was going back into good
roads for his use. Or, let every inter-
ested man vote for good roads IL we
can make it political issue. There
are $4,000 automooilists in California,
and if all would vote for such plank
they alone could carry the measure.
CHARLES c. MOORE, president San
Francisco chamber of commerce--Build
object lesson roads. Let each county or
district show what a good road is like
and means TO a community. and when
the farmer has carted his eggs and
perishable stuff over one of the model
roads and then has to turn off to a
bumpy, lily made road full of sink
holes and ruts-then therell be no
trouble in getting good roads.
FOR SERIES OF HIGHWAYS
GOVERNOR JAMES n. GILLETT-
Let the state construct series of high
ways which shall be like arteries grid
ing the commonwealth from north and
south and linking all the great valleys.
A system of this kind 1000 miles long
of the finest macadam could be built
for SIS 900, 900, and if the state were to
bond itself for the amount the cost
would be hardly felt.
GEORGE w. PIERCE, farmer, repre-
senting IA commercial bodies in the
Sacramento yalIey-First let the state
engineer survey and plan model sys-
tenn of roads, and then let each county
take pride in constructing its portion
of this system Ultimately a state ap-
propriation will have to be made to
finish the work, and in that case the
counties which have already built their
share of the system would not be losers
because they could be recompensed for
what they had spent. But we should
not wait for legislative action before
the good work begins
RUFUS JENNINGS, chairman Cali
fornia Promotion committee-Have g
state legislative committee appointed
similar to the state harbor board, tc
Investigate the conditions of the high
ways and outline a scientific plan fol
good roads Then we Will all get be-
hind this plan, whatever it may be
and see that 1t is carried through.
A. sBARBoRO, president CaIifornis
wine association believe the state
will eventually have to build a system
of principal highways, but think that
the best way to bring this about would
be for each county to build it's portion
of this system without delay.
WOULD EDUCATE PUBLIC
HERMAN CHARLES, secretary I'm
periaI City and county chamber of COM
merce-Educate the public thoroughly
to the need of good roads-then state
aid will come of it's own accord.
G. HI. McIsAAC, secretary Santa Cruz
board of trade-I think the governors
plan solves the problem-let the state
take the matter out of the hands OF
the counties and do the work, anc
then later the counties can be made tc
pay back the money.
j. DOWNEY HARVEY, presfden,
Ocean Shore railroad-Let the state
issue bonds In accordance with Gov
ernor Gilletts plan. But let the bonds
be in small denominations so that the
general public may be able to buy the
bonds and reap the benefits of invest
ment in safe securities. If the bonds
were put out in denominations from
800 up they would be absorbed almost
and workingmen.
FREDERICK w. D'EyELIN, vice pres.
ident Alameda chamber of commerce.
Get the fundamental supervision o1
the roads of the state out of the hands
of politicians and into the care of ex-
perts in road building. The money ap.
propriated for roads must not be al.
lowed to be spent to pay political debts
All that is needed is intelligence and
honesty among those in charge of the
project.
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