Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-01-20
VESTS VIEWS ON ROADS
GOVERNOR URGES LEGIsI4A-
TURE TO CONSIDER SUBJECT.
Plans of Highway Enthusiasts to
Provide State With Ideal
System.

Governor Vests strong Endorsement
of the Good Roads cause in his mes
sage to the Legislature has given the
better highways movement tremend-
Gus encouragement and strength
I'VE may sing the states praises to
the sky and spend fortune in adver-
tising our resources to attract home
seekers and settlers" said Govern
or West, "but we will have little sue
cess unless We can point to some
movement toward the construction OF
Good Roads over which the products
of the farm may be handled to mar
ket.'
"Realizing how greatly the state
was in need of good roads, and that
through our slip-shod methods OF
road patching, thousands of dollars
of the peoples money was being
squandered annually a number OF our
public spirited citizens through their
organization, the oregon Good Roads
Association, have thoroughly investi-
gated the whole question of road
building, and, I understand, will sub
nit to your consideration number OF
bills which embody their views and
Recommendations in the matter.
Knowing that their recommendations
are being prompted solely by an earn
est desire to see this state gridironed
by the best system of highways in the
world. and at the least possible cost
to the taxpayers, l ask that the whole
question be kindly given the most
careful consideration by you"
With Governor Vests support has
been Joined the promises of many leg
islators that they will support the
Good Roads cause and the bills that
have been framed to meet the good
roads construction need.
Oregon good roads advocates are
bending the strength of their united
influence to secure adoption of five
highway measures now pending be-
fore the legislature. These bills, made
law, it is asserted, will set into motion
and make possible a good roads cam
paign in every county that will result
in actual miles of road built But the
plans formulated by the Oregon Good
Roads Association contemplate more
than road building; they are intended
to aid in the building of better homes,
better schools, and to make farm work
pay better.
MI. Of rno1 building iG
recommended for every county. This
means that each county, aided by the
state, will construct it's own highway
system in the way most needed by
that particular county. The State
Highway Commissioner, whose serv-
ices are to be rendered under the
state highway board, will advise as to
the best methods, while at the same
time relating and connecting the bet
ter built highway system of one coun-
ty to those adjoining, so that the ulti-
mate result will be a statewide sys-
tenn. This unit system has been found
most effective and satisfactory in 9th
er states.
VIII Employ Much Labor.
Every unemployed man in every
county will be given work in road
building, according to the present
plan. He will be made producer OF
wealth and an agent of development
Convicts will be taken from the jails
and made to prepare material, and
in instances where it is desirable, will
actually build the roads. In Wash
ington convicts thus employed, wheth-
er taken from city, county or state
prisons, net the state a profit each OF
$3.50. This means that they pay their
way and a little better, and are nc
longer either a burden or menace to
the community.
Making of macadamized roads is
recommended wherever possible. The
state Highway Commissioner will
have as a duty the spread of informa-
tion explaining best construction
methods. one of the first and most
valuable features of information Will
be the report of Professor II. M. Parks
that Oregon counties have within
their borders enough basalt and other
splendid road-making material to last
forever. Trying to build the system of
better roads all at once is not recon-
mended. Improvement of existing dirt
roads comes first, then macadamizing
as fast as possible.
The bonding act is not intended to
saddle debt on counties. 1t is expected
TO make Immediately available $lO,-
GOO from the state fund for every
$4,000 secured by bonding. Future
generations, who will enjoy the bene-
fits and pleasures of improved high
ways even more than the present, will
pay for the roads gradually. If roads
were built ON cash outlay, the cost
would come before the benefits. I'm
der the bonding act the road itself
guarantees the outlay, and the en-
hancod value Of property, the facili-
tated transportation and the larger
returns from effort. will meet interest
and first cost. Good roads are an in
fprsst-uayfnp investment