The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-11-18
WALLA WALLA ROADS MEETING
A Most Important ConVertion-Prominent
Good Roads Advocates-ChangeS
Proposed in the Law

What form OF law best serves the
diverse conditions Of Washington will
be the chief topic for discussion at the
Washington good roads convention at
Walla Walla November % to Decem-
Der l, when delegates will also be in
attendance from Oregon, Idaho, Mon
tana and the province Of British Co.
lumbia. The governors Of the four
states and the premier Of the province
have promised to attend one or more
days. In addition Governor Hay has
invited each executive to appoint SO
delegates.
Commissioners of many counties in
this state are Of the opinion that money
could be saved on road work if the
amounts raised by tax levy were spent
for development locally instead Of de-
pending on the states aid. On the
other hand, it is urged that with few
changes the present state-aid law will
serve its purpose.
The question as to whether the
building of roads by counties or state
aid best serves the interests Of the tax
payers has led to many discussions, "
said J. A. Perry, secretary of the legis-
lative committee Of the Washington
State Good Roads Association and the
Spokane County Good Roads Associa-
ton. ''Thesstate association Of county
engineers has gone on record in de-
manding the repeal Of the law. The
issue was sidestepped at the Aberdeen
convention last February, to give the
state highway commissioner time to
demonstrate the merit Of the system.
There is wide difference OF opinion
as to the success Of Commissioner
Bowlby's efforts in that direction, yet
authorities seem to be agreed that with
few slight changes in the working OF
the law, and with more latitude given
to the commissioner and highway board,
the present law will be retained.
The concensus of opinion seems to
be that the main question to be settled
is not the desirability Of the law, but
the administration of it. Thus interest
centers in a report now being prepared
by Frederick w. Dewart Of Spokane,
chairman of the Legislative committee.
This report will be in the form OF
symposium Of the states experience
with good roads and the opinions and
findings of authorities in the several
counties of the state. Mr.. Dewart has
received letters containing suggestions
from more than 200 county commits
sioners, supervisors, engineers, mem
bers of the legislature and ranchers.
These are being condensed and the
vital points brought out will form the
basis OF the recommendations OF the
state association and the convention to
the incoming legislature. &"
L. M. Brown, assistant secretary OF
the Walla Walla Commercial Club, who
is in Spokane in charge Of the Walla
Walla exhibit at the third National
apple show, said the people of Walla
Walla are making extraordinary prepa-
rations for the delegates and visitors at
the convention, adding that many pri-
vate homes will be thrown open to take
care of those unable to secure accom-
modations at hotels. He added:
Those in active charge of the ar
rangements believe this will be the
largest gathering of good roads advo-
/
Gates ever held in the Northwest, and
there is every reason to believe much
good will come out Of the sessions.
The fact that delegates will come from
the states of Oregon, Idaho, Montana
and the province Of British Columbia
will give the convention an interstate
aspect, and through this, we believe,
will come the value Of the meeting.
There is much of common interest
among the four Northwestern states
and province, and the 'pull-together'
spirit was never stronger than it is at
present.
Thanksgiving Proclamation