The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
CRAFTS CHARGED
Legislator Opposes Bill Without
Reading It, Gearhart Says.
COmmissiOnersWaste Millions on
Bridge Contracts.

Emporias Kan, Jan. 1S.-Declaring
that a great scandal had been unearth-
ed in connection with the letting OF
contracts to bridge companies by
boards of county commissioners, w. S.
Gearhart, state highway commission
er, creared a sensation at the good
roads meeting here He SAID that more
than a million dollars of the people
money was being wasted yearly IN
Kansas in The building of bridges IN
der the present system
p No bridge building trust exists, &C
cording to Mr.. Gearhart, but the con-
structing firms make agreements ana
pool bids. he said. He also said there
was orga nized lobbying on the part OF
the bridge men and he told OF one leg
islator who had opposed a bill relat-
ing to bridge contracts without reau-
ing it. .zo7
that GearhaTt tell the name OF the leS-
islator Gearhart refused to do so.
The building of a rock road through
the eastern portion of Kansas parallel
ing the Santa F'e railway was ADVISED
by Governor W. r. Stubs
Stubbs Wants Rock Road.
He spoke of the building Of better
roads as an economlcai measure ~
farmers. He said; 49,,
"Our transcontinental railroads nave
in the past few years spent huluIegS
of millions of dollars reducing graae
tinent at lower cost. A large snare OIL
this freight is first hauled TO the rall-
roads over wagon ROADS, genera ellelaliyy 80 H.
Gated on section lines, with very nttlS
regard indeed. to grades OF qralnase'
and roads that have very niue "a
and attention during the year
IAN assessment of 81 an acre on e ;a1.l
section of land lying next to a puDl5o
rood and 81 an acre on the next az
ioining section would build a magnn-
Jollit--7 2ermanent road in the average
5is+rict The increased value OF TINS
land would be anywhere from $40 10 90
an acre.
Rut Dawson Was Busy
y lanes. of independence, presi-
se7+ ~ the association, was chairman
~ the convention. He introduced VII
liam Allen White, who made the al.
dress CT welcome, Ralph Faxon' ol
Garden City, responded
The most important move OF tns
morning session was the adoption of
resolution insisting upon the presence
If Attorney General John ; Dawson
Mr. Dawson sent word that iS could not
be here because of work, put u y
deemed imperative by the association
ana so expressed in the resolution, that
there must be no misunderstanding OF
the road law passed by the last fagls-
ture Many road workers fail to COM
prehend the law.
Noted Kansans Speak
Among the important addresses ot
the dav were those by w. s. Gearhart.
of Manhattan, Col. Sidney Suggs, Of
Anadarlxo Okla, and Arthur Capper,
of Topeka. Mr.. Gearhart, Who is state
highway engineer, gave comprehen-
sfve address on Progress of good roads
in Kansas in 1911-Our needs" Mr.
Suggs, who is state highway engineer
of Oklahoma, spoke Enthusiastically
and created considerable amusement
Mr.. Capper's address was an expos1-
tion of. 1.-THE States Relation to Good
Roads" other speakers were John G.
Nicholson, of Newton; J. NJ Gray,
Kirwin: H w. McAfee, Topeka; H. A.
Rowland. Mcpherson; G. II. Hodges,
Olathe: ]. H Miller. Manhattan.