New-York tribune., 1911-02-03
OPPOSING GOV. D|X'S PLAN
Auto Manufacturers Wanl High
way Commission Retained.
UPHOLD ADMIRABLE WORK
Say Abolition of Board Would
Restore Former Condition OF
Poorly Built Roads.

Automobile manufacturers in all parts or
the state are keenly aroused over the pro-
r,oeal TO abolish the state Highway Com
mission. appointed under Governor Hughes.
and general apprehension is expressed by
tren lest the commission. which has done
such admirable work. be supplanted by
some state department or a political body
working under Tammany auspices that will
have more regard for fat contracts for po-
HticaI contractors than for the good road
movement in the state.
THE Highway Commission means con-
t.ruitv OF policy and efficiency in road
ru.idinC." said George K. Birge, president
of the Pierce Arrow Company OF Buffalo.
ITO turn the commissions work over 10
the state Engineer or a single headed po-
Uucaly appointed board would ne Just as
ah-urd as 10 build the Panama Canal under
a change Of organization every two years
or o. conduct a manufacturing business un-
Ccr biennial change Of executive.
The commission as organized by Gov
crnor Hughes IL composed of select. high
class men. cannot understand how he got
sucn men 10 serve for $4,000 a year. The
state Engineer would have difficulty in
getting men of such diligence and efficiency
at any fgure-and cheaper men would mean
poorer roads. Chairman Hooker, 10 nv
personal knowledge drove sixteen thousand
miles inspecting the roads last wear
"I made a tour Of tho state from New
York 10 Buffalo four times last summer. and
slw big improvement. i'm the roads all
along the line The commission has given
us our first business administration Of the
state highways Eut II is Just getting
things I'm working order. r. had tremen-
dou~ machinery 10 set N motion. Many
mistakes had m he rectided and mucn eH-
pcrimentinE 10 be done. To destroy the
commission Just as it was beginning 20 get
results would be utterly unhusnesslike
IT have no sympathy with the criticism
that the commission IS too faetidious about
roads. The state roads cannot oe built TOO
well There IT, no economy IN constructing
road that has 70 20 rebuilt every other
wear We have a road built under county
auspices between Buffalo and East Aurora
/ that has had 70 re rebuilt three times In
the last Eve years. Last wear load ot
| furniture got caught on II and was stuck IN
IN, mud four DAYS. Now tho Highway
/ Commission is making real road there.
/ II will cost more a mile hut II will no true
/ economy.
/ Under tho state Engineer the roads
were poorly built and not maintained The
/ abolition Of the commission viii restore
/ this condition
Charles Clifton. Of Ruf1Io president Of
/ the Association % Licensed Automobile
/ Manufacturers. said
"Thc state Engineer Office has been tried
as a department for the construction OF
state roads and was found wanting The
nresent idea Of a commission OF three men
alternately appointed for siX-vear terms
every two wears has worked admira bly, IN
the brief two wears of ms existence. Under
the commission. for the frst time, We are
getting state roads built 70 last. For the
frs time we are getting roads that do not
have 10 no rebuilt every Two years For
the first time = regular system Of patrol
and repai- work has been established thai
has saved tre state millions Of dollars In
fehort. the commission idea has resulted in
a buein-sslika administration NJ orr high
uavs This idea deserves - be tried out
thoroughly
.Automobif=te. who have permitted a
special class lax 70 he levied on them
. selves for the maintenance of state roads
should receive some consideration from the
state concerning the distribution of this
money. They should not be- taxed for tho
/ maintenance Of roads 50 poorly built tha'
/ they are bound 20 20 70 pieces within two
wears under the conditions Of modern
/ traffic. and yhev should not be taxed If the
state is goine 20 neglect its roads as soon
A. they are built These were the condi-
1 tor- That prevailed under the State Enzi-
ueer Let us hope the state will not return