Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1908-05-25
GOOD ROAD CAMPAIGN
Policy Of Construction Favored
by the National Grange.
GOVERNMENTS AID WANTED.

lHe natioudl grunge. an OrEanlZa-
ton Of farmers in twenty-seven states,
with an aggregate membership Of near
ly 100000 members, has for num-
Der Of years advocated the enactment
by congress Of legislation creating a
national highways commission and
making liberal appropriations for the
improvement of the public roads. Dur
ing the past year the grange has per-
fected plans for conducting q 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 to lend its assistance to a move
ment intended to secure the esta blish-
ment Of complete system Of properly
constructed roads In all sections Of the
United States.
1t Is contended 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
stimulate the construction of better
roads by the various states, counties
and townships. The splendid road sys-
tenn 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
corps Of highly trained engineers plan
and direct the work of constructing
and maintaining the principal roads Of
that country.
The deplorable condition Of most Of
the roads in the United States. prob
ably the worst in any civilized coun-
try, is generally recognized. and 1t 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 cond-
tons 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
moro strongly to the Improvement of our
public roads; therefore,
Resolved That the national grange IA
vors "a general policy of good roads con-
structon by the various municipalities
counties and states; and.
Resolved That we favor the immediate
enactment of legislation by congress- max
ing liberal federal appropriations for the
Improvement of the public highways of
the country, these appropriations to be
expended in such manner as congress
may prescribe
House bill 1887, introduced in con-
grcSs on Jan. 30. 1905 by Hon. Frank
ID. Currier of New Hampshire, which
embodies the views of the national
grange on this subject, provides for
the creation of national highways
fN, l,, natl
Improvement and maintenance of pub
Nc 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 $J0.-
100000, to be made available at the
rate of S10,O00,OO0 year. of which at
least 100000 is to be expended in each
state at the rate Of not less than $780,
900 annually.
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 1t 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
possible. act in cooperation and consul
tation with the authorities having
charge Of the construction and i'm
provement of the public highways of
the several states, and in accordance
with this provision the distribution of
the amounts appropriated will be gov
erned by the wishes of the people of
the states, acting through their public
road officials Under this policy there
viii he no danger Of some roads in GER