The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-20

and II ought TO pc done only. after
raess-eafefafl consideration and on q
broad, Well understood, well arrang-
ed plan. so that for the millions ex-
pended We may get value in the re-
turn We desire in good roads
Senator Williams, OF Mississip pi:
on must make one road good. then
YOU must make another good. ana
then third and then A fourth There
must be some scheme whereby that
could be dome with fairness to the
state and the several sections of the
country.
Senator Swanson. Of Virginia: The
ume mas arrived, or Will very soon
arrive. when the people Of the United
states Will demand that the federal
government shall extend proper aid
Whatever may be the views Of some
II IL question that must ine,ita bly be
met and one that cannot be shirke ed ="
senator Pomerene. OF Ohio: MY
Thought has been that the federal
government should grant this aid In
sneh way as to give the maximum
or encouragement TO the local au-
torifies. and / believe that il some
plan were adopted whereby the fed =
eFai government would give to the
local authorities so much per mile
FOR fae construction of payed
highway. or any highway which was
OF material which was of a perma
hent character. We would encoura re
the local authorities and the state
authorities te help along tht. good
cause"
Representative Rowland, of Ohio.
At the present time the agitation
Tor federal aid for good roads lis as
Stunning such proportion. and Is back
ed by such a substantial sentiment
that sooner or later the federal gov
ernment VIII undoubtedly respond to
the insistent demand of the peonle
and lend Substantial assistance 70 the
good roads NOV ement of the conn.
try, In this sconnection IL in re-
freshing to note the spirit of CO.
operation that is manifestine itself
in the various States and the fac;
that the various States are not in
sisting that the entire burden should
be borne by the federal govern rnent
but are willing TO bear their share
or, We might say, the major portion
OF the burden. speaks wen for the
ultimate success OF the movement for
better roads throughout the entire
country"
Representative Kent of Ca,ifor-
mia: To my mind the federal goy-
#eEnment might we'll help in the con
structien of great national highways
where the work should be uniform in
character. and where there should be
chance for pride in the thorough
ness with which the great arteries
were built. The States may properly
play their part. and in many cases
are so doing by aiding with State
highways, The little rural route ID
local affair. matter for the coun.
ties and the minor districts. The. ex-
pense can and will be properly borne
by these communities by whatever
system of taxation they may choose. "
Representative Beall. of Texas. II
cannot bring myself TO believe tina,
II Is function OF the federal gov.
eminent. directly or indirectly. to ap-
prupriate money tor The construction
OF roads in any part of the coun
try. II In a gross violation OF the
doctrine of States rights for such
work to be undertaken IL the fed.
erai government assumes the burden
OF constructing roads, 1t will not be
long until 1t will demand the right ia
control the roads 1t constructs"
Representative Ferris. or Okla.
homa: Every civilized country save
5ur own has long ago well committed
themselves in the Improvement OF
their post roads, which are and ever
will be the property OF us all. The
federal constitution itself anticipated
that we should improve the posi
roads of the country. Highways are
not the properly OF any one man
They are rSt susceptible OF monopoly
or abuse. They are today and ever
will be the property Of all mankind
We should not longer hesitate IN Their
Improvement and upbuilding."