The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-03-25
THE PROPOSED STATE HIGHWAY

| OIlG w OONGlllC QUAIL pS'
schemes is the construction of 9
state highway from Philadelphia tc
Pittsburg, and bill has teen intro
duced in the legislature asking fol
an appropriation of S., 900, 900 fol
that purpose. Last week on second
reading the bill was sent back to the
committee. because it was evident
that if vote was taken on it al
that time, the bill would have beer
killed.
Since then ii is announced that
! Senator Penrose and the other ma.
chine bosses are favoring the bill,
and it is expected to pass.
| Some sort OF compromise is re.
garded as the probable solution
whereby the bill will go through.
Elimination of the S., 900, 900 APP
preparation for the work and allow
ing probably S. 900, 900 with which
to start the project was the one sug-
gestion most discussed.
To pacify the country districts,
which feel that they are left out in
the cold in the State highway ;'ro-
gram, it is proposed to have the
Jones Township road bill reported
from committee and passed, after
cutting down the S., 900, 900 appro-
priation to 81 900, 900 or 1900 =
600.
The bill allows so cents on each
dollar expended by townships in
road improvements, but Hon. w.
T. Greasy, declared that the count
! ry districts would not accept this a.
a basis of compromise. He added
that the Jones bill appropriation
would have to carry considerably
more than 81 900, 900 to make it ac-
ceptable to the townships.
"It is my belief that the State
highway bill cannot be passed, %
continued Mr.. Greasy. "The
country people object to it for two
reasons: First, they do not know
that the State has sufficient money
available Second, they want 10
know what is the route between
Philadelphia and Pittsburg.
"We might as we'll be candid "a
bout this matter. No sane man be-
lieves it possible to construct high
way between Philadelphia and
Pittsburg for $1,000, 900. Take
for instance, that part of the bill
requiring that trolley roads shall
not occupy the proposed highway.
In Lancaster County, alone, roads
which would be used for the high
way are occupied by trolley lines,
which cost more than $780, 900 for
construction. 1t would cost ST.
500, 900 to remove and replace
them.
| "This is but one Of many such
cases. The project would run ur
to $40, 900, 900 if not more, before
it was completed. The bill must
say what is to be the cost of the
highway complete"
Ofjust what benefit such a roat
is expected to be, we have no
learned. Ordinary people who rid,
in trolley cars conld not have tn,
pleasure of riding on this "magnif
icent state boulevarde" becaus
there will be no trolley lines on it
1t could not be used for freigh
traffic with automobile trucks, 70
the railroad companies will see tina
such use is not permitted.
There are but three purpose
! which such a road could accom-
lplish. First, it would be yer
! nice route for the weather. classe
: who can afford to 60 on automobil
tours; second, it would be mont
>, ment to the memory of Governo
= Stuart after he is dead and othel
q wise forgotten; and third, it woul
o be splendid opportunity for st,
pendous steal from the state trea
ury in its construction and mairt
nance. Unless the state highwa
department finds some better metl
% cd than it has been using, the fir
ID end that is built will have to be r
built before the other end is reache
n While the schools and hospita
and country roads are all in need
l. much more money than the state
D. giving them, it would be sinf
a. use OF the public money to devo
the many millions this road wou
s. 'cost, to such a purpose at this tin