The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-02-09
TIMES BUREAU,
At STATE CAPITAL.

=
Indianapolis. Ind. Feb. st is diff
fcult for some of those persons inter-
csted in the furtherance of the good
roads idea in Indiana to understand
why 1t is that the Legislature does not
take more interest in the good roads
question They are growing impatient
and pointing out that bills along that
line which were introduced early in
the session have been allowed to sleep
in committees without any action what
ever The good roads advocates are
anxious that the bills should be ad-
vanced and that osmething should be
done with them. They are trying to
arrange for public hearing on the
bills before the committees some time
this week, but they do not know wheth-
err thAy -iil make it or not
Although from all over the state have
come demands that the general assem-
bly, provide some RELIEF from the pres
ent unsatisfactory conditions of the
laws concerning the collection of road
taxes and the expenditure of money
thus collected. and although the demo-
cratic state platform declared for the
enactment of laws providing for such
relief, the indications are that unless
some vigorous action is taken within
the next few days, nothing will be ac-
complished. The railroad lobbyists
have interviewed to stop legislation
along this line, and now believe that
they have set the pegs so that for at
least another two years they will not
be disturbed in the present methods of
farming out their road taxes for 30
cents on the dollar. Joined with the
railroads in the attempt to defeat the
good roads measures proposed are the
interests represented by the Trip
brothers, contractors. who take the
railroad contracts and sublet them at a
profit of 80 cents on the 81. The COM
| bination has been so powerful that un-
I! less some radical steps are taken to
arouse the interest of the legislators.
it is doubtful If. the bills proposed for
lettering the road conditions are re-
| ported out OF committee.
The chief measure introduced to give
the relief desired is that providing for
| a state highway commission and pro-
viding that all road taxes shall be paid
into the county treasures in cash. with
| the proposed highway commissioner
empowered to act in an advisory capac-
ity in the expenditures of the money
| thus collected. The bill was drawn by
an association of good roads men, and
was launched following the recen,
meeting of the national good road.
congress in this city. The bill was in.
troduced in the house by Representa-.
tive McGinnis. and one or two hear.
ings upon the measure have been had
Chiefly opposed to the measure are
the railroads and the Trip interests
If it became a law, the railroads woult
be compelled to pay into the variou.
county treasures the full amount o.
taxes assessed, and the Trip interest,
would lose business which amounts tt
many thousands of dollars annually
Further opposed are sundry minor sub
contractors who handle the expenditur,
, of the moneys in the township, whenc,
, there have come scores of stories o
the tax money having been diverted t,
, private pockets, with very small per
centage having found it way to tn,
roads.
Still further opposed farmer
from various communities, who declar,
| that if the bill becomes law, it will