Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1911-11-30
M|SSOURpS ROAD
ENTHUSIASM
IS AROUSED

What is the biggest thing in Mis-
sonri to-day? It is not the state uni
versity. much as We prize Il; not th'
assured building of a new capitol
v Shich in spite Of recent politiea
plays in its name, win soon stand
among the leading accomplishment
nf the state.
The greatest thing in Missouri t
day is the aroused sentiment in fay
or OF better and more general trans
p.rtation facilities OF every sort. II
is state wide, and not only is it STATE
wide, 1t is mountain deep. It Is not
a passing wave, but is a movement
that has been taking root and grow
ing In strength for years 1t is moi
hysterical; It is business.
The good roads determination OF
the state enthusiasm" is not a per
manent and substantial enough word
fol the way Missouri does things) is
attracting attention and praise from
all over the great areas of states in
which Missouri is central, but the
good roads movement in itself, is not
one-half of the whole. Missouri al
ready leads all other states west Of
fhe Mississippi In its mileage OF
rock roads and Is increasing Its
wealth in this respect faster than
any other. but the greatest sgnifl-
canoe Of this activity and the senti-
ment that supports It. has to do with
its relation to the Improvement OF
tavel conditions generally, the facil-
itating Of the movement OF inyesti-
cation and immigration, In the past
t6w years railways have been invited
10 build, and land offered to them
for that purpose. where few years
farther back, their coming would
have been actively opposed. Several
electric lies have been built and fran
chises are being granted to others In
sections where the sentiment for pro
gress and better business have over
come all opposition.
There are In Missouri to-day, up
wards of so road districts, establish
ed under the laws OF which is max
ing effective long standing desire
for the improvement and extension q
our systems OF country roads. At the
rate these read districts are voting
bonds the territory will, alone. soon
ba authorized to spend at least $7,50O
900 in making Missouri the best state
in the west in which to market pro-
duce and the most delightful state in
which to travel. And every dollar
goes into the ground, as a business
proposition. In not single case,
where bonds have been voted, has
there been waning in the purpose
OF the big maiorlties which cast the
favoring vote. The boosters" as
they have come to be called, have
Almost invariably gone farther than
they promised. Modern bodybuilding
machinery has been bought or em-
ployed; competent engineers were
been secured; business men very
largely Of the young crowd--and
their are notable exceptions. like
265-Day Road Clarkson" Of Carthage,
have given their time and the use OF
their automobiles and teams to fur
ther the work. and the most progres
kive farmers everywhere have been
the most substantial support OF all.
And nowhere has there been any at
tempt to do the work by "dabs" or
spend money BY "driblets," while the
opposition, for the most part has
been made to look like go cents. :"
For instance. in Galloway county, by
vote of almost to l, the special
Smile district OF which Fulton is the
center, voted to issue 100000 worth
OF bonds for permanent rock and
gravel roads. The district has about
l,2OO voters, OF this number l,llV
cast ballots, GAG voting for the bonds
and le4 against them'
Columbia, and that part of Boone
county included in the road district
OF which Columbia is the center vol
ed slOo,oOo worth Oh ponds ior roch
roads and the election was real
landslide. There We're ls4f per
sons who voted for good ROADS ano
lfO who We're against them. In thls
election was injected an influence
that showed up STRONG III the cam
Epaign for the "Cross-State High
way a large band OF preuty girls
younger menners OF the American
hevoluaon' intercepted ever strag
CLING voter and decorated MIN with
good roads badge. IL didn't max
any dMterenee, whether the prospecl
we voter was known as GOOD road
man or not-1he was taken smihne9iy
captured and decorated, and In mos
instances the captured man vote
according 70 Instructions on M
badge.
| FayeuOe' SLATER plasgow ana MAI
shall' along the ilne OIL the Gen
J trai Route, = fohowed, or are soon y
follow, Coiumbla, IN the authoraauo
OF money LOT the sood Work.
/ AT Sedahia, atter a misguloed ma
1or1ty mad delayed, temporarily, IN