Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-09
EeATES TO STATE CONFER.
ENcE AGREED UPON ESSEN
TlAL POINT.
ON METHODS AND MEANS
THERE is LACK OF UNITY
Much Good and Some Systematic
Method of Improving Highways
Probably Will Result From Meeting
Van Law Would Tax Autos So
Much Per Horse Power.
Special to Times-Republican.


Des Moines, March 9.-There Is no
installing the earnestness and determi-
nation of the people of Iowa in the
matter of starting the good roads work
this week is one of the most varied as
to personnel and purposes of any state
gathering in recent years. On only one
thing is there any agreement-that
good roads we ought to have. The
first half day session developed several
lines of thought, namely:
That the laws of the state are gen
orally in most excellent shape and IN
der them it is entirely possible to nave
good roads.
That if there is any need of improve
ment in the laws it is in the dlrectlon
of providing for expert supervision OF
road making, more certainty OF the
proper use of the funds, and perhaps
some compulsion as to road work
That drainage is the first requisite as
to roads, that for the present good
earth roads are all that is possible, that
surfaced roads are desired but not
likely to be secured, that materials Tor
roads are abundant in Iowa.
That the weakness of the present
system lies in the local influences. the
unwillingness of the trustees to act'
the indisposition to spend money sys-
tenatically.
That what is needed above all else IS
a healthy public sentiment backing up
those who would provide for good
roads.
Permanent Good to Come.
Governor Carroll was happy in his
preliminary announcement to the COLI
vention. Lafe Young was equally happS
as presiding officer, Harvey inghaiii
gave them something to think ABOUT
and Professor Marston, Henry Haas,
John Fostor. Senator Larraoee anu
others started off with splendid me
of practical papers. The outcome VIII
be a permanent organization 10 worn
with the present Iowa highway COM
mission. which has been dong excel
,ant work. and to carry on propa-
ganda thruout the year. to influence tiie
legislature if need be and certainly 10
see to it that there is no backward
stem taken in Iowa road legislation.
The convention is being held in con-
nection with the meeting of the thresh-
boosters. At the same time there Is
n, automobile show in town and TINS
adds to the crowds a number OF those
Who are interested very much In gooo
! roads Altogether it is a good con-
vention.
| For a County Engineer.
| The plan of having the county sur
vavor converted into a county engineer
was ably presented to the conVentloH
! nv Representative O'Connor of Cmck-
asaw county. Mr.. O'Connor says that ~
his opinion it is vital to the good roads
movement TO have the work well SUI
pervised. The only way to do 1t is u
have a county engineer, a man VINO l.
! educated in the work and VINO Is com
netent TO direct it all. The Suggestion
vase made to him that there shouid pe
some sort of civil service or merl
| system in connection with the engi'
| neer's office, but the main thlnS Is u
make sure of the appointment OF com
netent men. This feature of the dis
| cussion appealed TO very many favor
ably.
The temper of the convention wa:
shown when one of the speakers sax
| something that could be regarded as
! slam, on the reckless drivers of auto
! mobiles on country roads, and the con
| vantion went wild with enthusiasm
The country delegates are resentful o.
the idea that it is the automobile peo'
ple who are most interested IN per
| manent roads.
Van Law Would Tax Autos.
Senator Van Law, who is attending
the convention, has a suggestion as, te
a fund for road building. He would pu
a tax or license on automobiles graded
| according to the horse power OF the
machines, say 81 year for each horse
power. It has been estimated that thi!
! would raise a fund of a half millior
dollars at once for road purposes. i
would have to be in lieu of all loca
taxes and automobiles would have II
go off the assessors books.
/ One of the most enthusiastic Of the
men connected with the convention /:
| Professor Macdonald of Ames, who Il
at the head of the Iowa highway com
mission, which has been doing a vas
amount of work for good roads in re-
cent years he is greatly pleased ove1
! the fact that as the result of the worl
! of this commission the good roads
! movement is on a much better basi:
than ever before There is better IN
Outstanding of what is involved and il
every way there has been advance
| ment.
To Draft Bill.
A new method must be devised, i
II