The commonwealth., 1909-06-17
The Problem OF Transportation.

| AZ lne GOOQ hOaQS congress at
Baltimore the other day, Senator
! Bankhead of Alabama said:
The question of transportation
has attracted the attention of our
wisest statesmen for years. There
are three important methods rail
roads, boats and roads and in my
judgment roads are most important,
as 90 per cent. of all freight must
first be hauled over the roads.
In the early days of the Govern
ment it was decided that Congress
had the right to appropriate money
for building roads and canals, yet
some say that it is unconstitutional
Why does the Government appro-
pirate annually large sums for har-
bors, canals and rivers? Because of
the clause in the Constitution which
gives it this right for the general
welfare Of the country. 1t is done
to increase the advantages of trans
portation.
The Government has been liberal
in lending funds to aid in building
railroads throughout the country to
aid in its development and to increase
its wealth, and consequently to in
crease its revenue. Everyone knows
that this has been a good investment
for the Government. Congress is
spending millions every year for irri-
CATION. The levees on the Mississi-
ppi river are not built for commerce,
but to protect a vast amount of
property and wealth. 1t is absurd
to talk about the counties and differ
ent communities building roads. The
burden is too heavy.
eve are today using 10000
miles of roads in the delivery of our
mails. When the rural free delivery
service was first discussed it was
charged that its adoption would
bankrupt the country. Eleven years
ago Congress appropriated $4,000 to
be used as an experiment on the sys-
tenn. Only ten thousand Of this was
spent by the Postofiice Department
before its success was assured and
last year Congress appropriated $685.
000,0 900 for the service. The deficit
in the Postoffice Department is no
greater now than it was before the
service was adopted. This is due to
the increased revenue. City people
are more benefited by good roads
than the country people. The city
depends on the counties for its sup
plies and the quicker and cheaper
they can be brought to the city the
better for city people.
SAYS ROADS BRING EDUCATION.
with system of good roads we
have better system of education.
Good roads permit children to as
semble, and then good buildings will
be erected and good teachers secur-
ed. Because of the poor highways
in many sections of the country it is
impossible for the children to reach
the schools during certain periods of
the year.
Good roads are the only immi-
grafton drawing cards. We cannot
attract desirable foreigners unless
we have good roads, as all desirable
immigrants are invariably accustom-
ed to such in their native countries.
At present 70 per cent. of the eXpen-
ditures of our Government is used in
preparation for war. Last year $10,-
000,000 was appropriated to foster
the agricultural interests. This, in
comparison, was insignificant.
IF you want to start this question
and get results stand your ground.
Make your States take stand, and
then your Representatives in Con-
gress will get in line. Governor
Crothers is leading the way in Mary
land, and the public will follow him.
Your representatives at Washington
will take up the question, for they
might fear that the Governor is af-
ter their job, and they will get in
line. The present alleged constitu-
tional barriers and limitations will
not be so high to Congressman when
they realize that large element IN
their Congressional constituency de-
mand good roads from the Govern
ment."