The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-22
Appropriations for High
ways Are Legal, Notwith-
standing Bailey.
SUPREAAc COURT
DECISION QUOTED
Conference Held at Willard This
Morning to Discuss Possible
Legislation.

That the Congress of the United
States has the power TO appropriate
funds for the building of good roads
throughout the country, and that such
an appropriation should be made for
the inauguration of the movement, was
the keynote OF this mornings session
CT the National Good Roads Congress
at the Willard Hotel.
Arthur c. Jackson. president Of the
National Good Roads Association, came
from Baltimore. where the annual ses-
sion of the association is now being
held, to preside at the meeting today. 1t
was attended by a number of members
OF Congress and business men of the
South who are interested in the good
roads movement. The discussion this
morning centered about Senator Bailey S
declaration that national appropriations
for the improvement of roads We're
unconstitutional
'-On the one hand. we have Senator
Bailey's opinion, said President jack
son in opening the meeting, and on
the other hand we have decisions OF
the Supreme Court Of the United States,
which, I believe, will stand against the
Senator's verdict"
Il have not given this matter close
study from a lawyers standpoint" said
Representative D. T. Morgan of Okla
homa, but I believe firmly that the
scheme Endorsed by the convention in
Baltimore is constitutional"
Not Political Work.
Il am a Republican. But this is
question in which / think politics have
been laid aside. Both parties seem TO
agree on furthering the movement. Il
is now merely a question of detail that
prevents action. A half million dollars
were put in a certain public building
in my State recently. and 1 may be crit
icised for the statement, but 1 do be-
iieve that the same amount put in the
improvement Of roads would have done
vastly more good"
James f. CoIbreath, of Denver, Col,
represented the American Mining Con-
gress at the meeting this morning. Mr..
COllbreath declared that waterways and
roads are the two great channels by
which cities are built up. he cited hi :
home city, Denver as an example OF
the product Of good roads
Denver is Tar removed from any sea
rort." he said: what part traffic has
played in its upbuilding has been de-
pendent upon roadways- 1 think the
condition of roads in The state Of Col
orado can be actively felt n the pulse
~The one movement 81 the present
day which looks toward the greatest
good to the greatest number" was Rep
resentatiVe Pickett's definition Of the
movement In a brief address this
morning he dWelt upon the many cham
nels through which the influence OF
good roads is felt in the prosperity OF
the people.
Affects the Mails
W. F. Beasley, c. North Carolina.
cited provisions made by the Postoffice
Department for its rural free delivery
routes as evidences that Congress can
make provision TO improve roads. He
pointed out that the Postoffce Depart
nent may abolish free delivery routes,
il the condition of roads makes their
operation impossible, ana asserted that
Congress has again ana aga.n asserted
its right over waterways and post roads
Congress has the power to build
roads that connect county seats OF the
United States, but Representatives in
Congress have shown themselves unwiil-
ing 10 exercise that power Ny sugges-
ton for the immediate accomplishment
OF the projects outlined this week would
be for the President Of the United
Statea 10 appoint a commission consist
ing OF a civilian representative from
each State. We do not question Of the
good faith Of Congressman in this man
ner, but we think they could more
accurately sense public opinion through
such a delegation"