Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-11-25
GOOD ROADS IS
CRY OF WORKERS
Resolutions for Trunk High
way in State Are Unani-
mously Adopted
FAVOR CONVICT LABOR
Montesano Congress Urges
That "Pork Barrel" in
Work Be Abandoned

mOIN EoRANO, NOV. "a w nat Is
considered by far the most import
ant gathering of workers for the in
terest of the Southwestern Washing
ton, concluded Saturday night when
the Southwestern Washington Devel-
opment association, which had been
in progress here for two days, ad-
journed.
The principal matter discussed and
acted upon, was the outlining of a
program for good roads legislation
with the state Legislature, and the
adoption, without any opposition Of
the declaration and resolutions set
forth by the committee which lays the
plans for the construction of trunk
highway throughout the state and
pledging the support of every legisla-
tor of the Southwest and Olympic
peninsula to work for the further
'ance of these plans.
The greater part of Saturday was
devoted to the good roads question,
and number of important and in
teresting addresses were made. The
speakers covered a wide scope, but
the keynote of the convention was the
relegation of "the pork barrel to the
scrap pile, and the appropriation of
money for good roads, because of
their merits.
The resolutions adopted called for
the permanent construction of high
ways and stipulates that there shall
be no expenditures made on non-tax-
able property, such as government
timber reserves.
Endorse Pacific Highway.
The Pacific highway is endorsed in
the report of the resolutions commit
tee without qualification and appro-
priation by some means for per-
manent bridge across the Columbia
river at Vancouver in connection with
the highway is urged.
Extend Road No. 9.
Regarding Chehalis county the res
olutions provide that state road No
be so extended via the Elma cut
off, and Summit lake to point near
Olympia in order to make connec-
tion with the Pacific highway. Road
No. IA, in Clallam and Jefferson
counties, No. 8, leading from Kelso
north and thence eastward along the
shore of the Columbia river, No. 5,
leading from Chehalis into the famous
Big Bottom country in eastern Lew
is county, and other thoroughfares
now underway or projected under the
state system have the unanimous en-
dorsement of the committee.
Chapman Speaks.
One Of the most important address
es of the convention was that of c.
G. Chapman, of Portland, president
of the Portland Commercial club, in
reference to the passage of road bills
in his state. He said that Washing
ton farmers pay but 20 per cent of
the tax used in road construction in
the rural districts and that the Ore
gon farmers pay 46 per cent, but
60 per cent of the vote of Oregon is
in the rural districts, and at the last
election practically all of the good
road bills were voted down.
Congressman-elect Albert Johnson,
OF Hoquiam, in his address pledged
his support for development work in
Southwest Washington. He spoke in
terestinely along various lines of de-
velopment work yet to be done in this
district and assured the members Of
the association that he would do ev-
erything within his power to bring
about proper legislation.
Roads in the Southwest.
Concerning roads in the Southwest
the following resolution was adopt
ed:
Resolved, That we believe it plain
business that all state road plans
and appropriations should be made
with reference to a comprehensive
plan, of which each road entered on
should be an ultimate part. Making
reference to that portion of our state
comprised in the ten counties of
Southwestern Washington and the
Olympic peninsula, we hold that the
following should constitute the sys-
tenn of state roads, to-wit's
"The Pacific Highway, north and
south.
From Olympia, northward along
the west side of Hoods canal, thence
westward along the Straits Of Fuca,
through Jefferson and Clallam coun-
ties.
From Chehalis eastward to the Big
Bottom country, and westward through
Pacific county, by way Of Willapa