The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-11-26


running through the country, much
Of this land would be taken and de-
veloped into productivity. This
would mean a vast increase in our
commerce. Moreover, it would mean
that more people would leave the
cities and take up farming lands.
There would b. greater production
and, consequently. a lowering of the
high cost Of living.
Education would be enhanced.
Children who a-e now unable to at
tend school because of the condition
OF the roads at certain seasons of the
year would be enabled to get to
school without difficulty. We have
statistics to show that the prosperity
that would come to the country gen.
orally would benefit the railroads. At
the present time there are certain
seasons of the year when many Of
the roads are almost impossible. At
such times the shipments Of the farm
ers drop of fifty to sixty per cent.
During these periods the rolling
stock Of the railroads is left idle.
When the rush begins, the freight
trains are overworked. The irregu-
outlavs for repairs.
with an organization such as the
one we are now organizing the work
of booming good roads will be SYSTEM
atized. At the present time no less
than $90,000,000 year is being spent
on read improvements. venture to
say that at least $40,000,0O0 of this
amount Is wasted each year. We
would be able to show how that sum
could be used to the best advantage.
! Disconnected roads, even though
they are carefully improved, do not do
so much good as roads built on a
/. connected and systematic basis. More
over, a general plan looking to the
welfare of the whole country. should
be able to throw strength at the point
where 1t is needed at the psychologist
al moment. We know, for instance,
that it is useless this year to try to
get better laws In certain states. On
the other hand, we know that such
states as Michigan, Arkansas. and
laws. BY throwing our strength into
those states now we may be able to
have passed the kind of laws that will
do the most good.
Plan Embraces General Welfare.
THAT is the general plan on which
the organization will work-a plan
embracing the general welfare of the
whole country. President Taft has
urged systematic treatment of the
waterways. 1t is just such treatment
that the good roads movement needs
to make it completely effective.
1.-The primary object of the associa-
tion will be to aid and promote every
practical movement looking toward
the improvement of public roads.
| There are already a number of coun-
ty, state, and general organizations
which are doing good work along va
! rious lines, and az. glad to say that
representatives of several such organ
| izations are with us today. 1t is our
hope that this work will harmonic
and correlate the work OF all existing
organizations.
I'VE shall supplement this work of
correlation by endeavoring to bring
about the organization of practical,
working county clubs, which will
turn their attention and energies to-
ward improving county road adminis-
| tration, maintenance and construc-
ton; to uphold the work of state as
] sociations, aiding them in their ef-
! forts to secure wise and adequate
legislation.
| Take Roads Out of Politics.
THE need Of the day in road work
Is to take the administration OF the
roads away 1rom the influence of pol
itics; to INSIST on skilled supervision
OF all road work; to remedy the evils
+! OF too much localization, and to sub
stitute uniformity and system for the
! confusions incident to pure localism
as we now find it in some of the
states"
All the Representatives of state and
local good roads organization present
(; at yesterdays meeting pledged their
cooperation with the new national
body Several big automobile organ
izations agreed to work in future I'M
der the auspices OF the new associa-
ton. Railroads, hotel men, lawyers,
and statesmen all pledged their ac'.
tive support.
/ The constitution and bylaws ADOPT
ed after some discussion, provide for
the admission of all members of state
organizations as associate members
of the national body. The annual
dues for regular members were fixed
! at Sc; for sustaining members, $100.
Associate members will not be re-
quired to pay dues.
! Constitution, bylaws and the choice
of officers were enthusiastically ap-
proved by all the members. Secre-
tary Pennybacker will engage offices
in this city within the next few days
and the work of joining all the good
good road forces in the country into
! the parent body will at once begin.
The executive committee is already at
work. the prominent men who are
serving having determined to give
their personal attention to the pro-
gram that is being mapped out.
NORTH DAKOTA SLICE
Gets the Smallest Part of the National
Forest Revenue.
Washington. Nov. 26. = Nineteen
states will participate in the twenty
five per cent division of national for
est revenue for the fiscal year ended
June 80. 1910. according to bulletin
issued by the forest service today.