The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-12-15
GOOD ROADS AND THE VARNUM
IDEA

and streets Of the community. Ii the
road tax is worked out, it is made the
occasion of picnic. If the work is
done under the direction of local
overseer, the cry is raised that his
office is used to pay political party
obligations and that the work shows
lack of intelligent direction. More Of
ten than otherwise one or both of these
objections are based on abundant
foundations. If the entire subject is
taken out of local hands and put in
control of county officials, the condl-
ton of the roads is little, If any, I'M
proved, and the grating or 1ncompe'
tence seems to be merely enlisted IN
the service of the big interests.
Through it all the country districts
and the smaller towns stagnate IN
sort of stupor, hoping for the best,
while fearing, with some reason, that
the worst is yet to come. Snohomlsh
county recently refused to authorize
the expenditure of 100000 for the
building of good roads; not because
she does not want the roads, and is
willing to pay the price, but because
of more or less we'll grounded suspl'
cion that she might have to pay the
price and still have no roads worthy
the name. During the past twenty
years she has spent money enough
had it been intelligently and honestly
expended, to have built not less IMAM
300 miles of strictly first class macao
am road and kept it in perfect repair.
She has less than 40; and the expe-
rience of SnohomiSh county is put
replica of practically every other coun-
ty in the state. The peoples money
is wasted while they wade through
ouagmires to market, This year IL IS
said this county will expend more
than 100000 on her roads. she
ouqht to have at least Az miles
of perfect macadamized road next 1ali.
Will she We shall see what we snail
see!
There is a voluntary association IN
the county that promised, If the hall
million bonds had carried, to person
ally see that it was properly eXpendeu'
If these gentlemen will bestlr tnen-
selves and see to it that the county
can show 80 miles of AL roads TWO
wears hence, it is not impossible that
the people may vote themselves lnCo
bondage to the amount of $5OO,OOO. Ii
thew issue bonds at 4 per cent Ior
even fifteen years, it means that their
roads will cost 100000. This is
nerfectly useless waste of 100000 that
might much better be spent by the
taxpayers for the good things OF lire
for those dependent on them.
Good roads are form of public
wealth. and like all wealth, waits only
on the intelligent activity OF two tac-
1Nf.ax III
a libel on any community to say they
have not the brains, and the apun-
dance of the Drawn is self-eVldenC. IL
is merely a matter OF applying human
energy to the work in hand. Inc roao
builders must have food, clothing ana
shelter while at work. THESE neces-
saries must be supplied by those VINO
use and benefit by the roads. Now, IL
is self-eVident that when a man mas
worked a day on the roads-has pro-
duced a certain amount OF Wealtn-he
OUGHT to have an evidence of that serV-
ice rendered society that will pass cur
rent in the purchase Of such things az
he needs to support life.
Such "evidence" is found in Service
Certificates" "This certificate mas
been issued by the -- county III
payment for services rendered ana II
will be accepted at it's face In pay
ment of taxes due the county"
If the county spends $2OO,OOO year
on roads, it will issue 100000 in these
certificates, and by levying road tax
of equal amount, it will collect ana
redeem and retire from circulation the
entire issue. 1t will have fulfilled lts
mission of acting as medium OF ex'
change. 1t affords an example Oh
circulating medium that actually ana
really circulates through the social or
panization. It's use does not permit
anv member of society to both eat MS
"a lzonn IL II is fair and luSL