The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-06-19


business sagacity iz used in these things
why is II not used In the road work
generally? Because your lawmaker
has not had II called to his attention
in way that would make 1t clear to
him and you must see 1t before You
show him, We form our opinions by
comparisons.
II you are a progressive citizen. Just
compare, If you will. the present sys-
tenn OF politax road building to that
Of the public institutions and bridges
by contract, Is 1t fair to the road
users to allow unslxilled labor to spend
day or two trying to work off their
polltax at the expense OF public travel
and the public purse7 II law be en-
acted abolishing the present system for
free holderS polltax and instead as
sess all land for land road tax at so
much" Per acre, according to it's value,
! then what2 We would And that thous-
ands Of dollars would be paid into the
| road fund by non-residents who do
not now pay any polltax. / am not
trying to soak the 'non-residents,
but am merely trying to show some
plans whereby the system can be inn
proved SO that we. each of us, may
share our burdens alike when improve
ments will benefit US all alike. We are
now supporting county and state ac-
cording TO the amount Of land and pro-
perty we own. Why don't We support
the roads at the same ratio?
The spring season is usually a busy
season and wet one. Surprising a
contractor began the road work on
4 nzye faxp ~ IL v4la
and closes when springs work closes,
you could then take a pleaure trip by
| team or auto and be sure TO reach
your destination and be sure to come
back" when you return and do II day
or night. The pleasure season usually
exists In June and July and as the
country improves financially there will
be considerable grain hauled to market
at that time.
| A building is built on q foundation;
no water must reach the base. Next
you put up the frame work which must
be protected by a water shedding
roof. The better the roof and wall
paint, the better the building is pro-
tected, gives better returns on the in
vestment and has more staying
qualities. True the automobile tears
up and scatters mud when 1t is muddy
and dust when II is dusty. but do they
tear UP gravel when packed into the
frame work OF the road grade? You
cannot all Of you get gravel, but you
could get more than you do get II you
spent less time making mudgrades and
spent time enough to complete the
work. We state the cause. we suggest
the cure. This cure has been tried
out in other states. 1t Is q success
there. Why not try the remedy? Would
you more willingly pay, or suggest a
raise. in your auto license IL the money
were spent in "rip-rapping'' the roads.
II there is anything we want In this
| line why not make our wants known
to our law makers or get a law-naker
that is willing to do the best he knows
how. The only way In my opinion,
to continue the beginning, is TO get
some one of your town to represent
you at the coming state convention at
jamestown. Pick up your best ideas
and discuss them at home and abroad,
and boost the good roads question II
roads are anything to you Come your
self. also, to the Jamestown conven-
ton Look for the date In the state
papers, as It win soon be announced,
This meeting will not be for anuse-
ment but for business only.
If you are q tax payer and a road
user ii 1t your business TO watch your
interests or your interests will be ne
elected. We can only get things done
by united effort. If you want better
roads help us get them by lending VI
lyour presence at the state meeting OF
at least 'hannner at IT, at home.
Nels X. Mattson,
New Rockford. N. ID.