Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-10-28
Problem Of
Good Roads
Is up to Us
OREGON STATE GRANGE PRE-.
SENTS TWO BILLS 1T HAS PRE-.
PARED AND ASKS VOTERS TO
EXAMINE AND THEN VOTE FOR
THEM.

PARED AND ASKS VOTERS TO
EXAMINE AND THEN VOTE FOB
THEM.
The people of the state of Oregon
are facing the greatest problem which
has arisen in years, if not the great
est in the history of the state. The
highway problem, in all its ramifica-
tlons, must be settled sometime, and
there has been an effort made on the
part Of many people to have that set
tlement some soon The need of good
roads Is conceded-there is no uues-
tion in any section of the state on that
score. The problem lies in the system
Of construction, in the manner of pay.
ment and in the method of selection.
1t is not likely that large percentage
OF the voters Of the state will thor
oughly familarize themselves with all
the provisions of all the bills which
will appear on the ballot November g..
1t is conceded on all sides that a
uniform system Of highways should be
constructed in the most substantial
manner at a reasonable price per mile
of construction 1t is conceded that
the division of the cost should be
among the people interested and who
will use the roads when constructed
Just what proportion of cost should be
paid by the state, by the county and
by adjacent property is problem
which will stand discussion, no end of
it, but finally it must be settled on an
equitable basis.
The State Grange has had prepared
and offers to the people of the state
two bills, Nos. 324 and 926, which
were drawn with the purpose in view
of giving the people who must pay,
control of the selection and construc-
tion Of highways. True home rule was
aimed at in preparing the measures,
while safeguards were thrown about
the planning of highways that a state
wide system would result
The Grange offers a bill providing
for the details of road meetings, of
selections of highays to be improved,
of the letting of contracts and for pay
ment for the work, Another bill pro-
vides for highway department which
is to be under state supervision with
charge of construction generally while
the county officials will have actual
charge of the work in each county. In
this way true home rule is provided
for These bills, coupled with the
convict labor bills, will give the state
an ideal scheme for road construction.
The method provided for is to have
not less than so taxpayers of any
county petition the county court for
an election to vote upon the construc-
tion of roads. An election is to be
called in each district by the road SUI
pervisor. The district meeting will
elect delegates to a county meeting.
Here plans for actual work will be
made by the duly elected representa-
tives Of the taxpayers. The county
will authorize the issuance of
bonds in a sum not to exceed 5 per
cent Of the assessed valuation Of the
Of the county. The amount
Of the bond issue and the length of
time the securities are to run will be
determined at the meeting. The bill
provides for uniform grades below
per cent
Competent engineers are to be en-
ployed and construction is to be un-
1ertaken under direction of the state /
highway engineer All work is to be
done by contract after due advertise
ment so that no favorltes can be
played. The bill assures the people
that roads will be built where most |
needed and that principal centers will |
be served first, as the plan contem-
plates the greatest good to the great
est number.
The argument in favor of these
measures is that they give the taxpay-
ors full control of road building and |
Of the highway situation, both in
amount of bonds to be issued and of
the location of the roads to be improy-
ed. The nature of the improvement to
be made is also made matter Of pub
lie concern, while the entire job must |
be done under the general supervis-
lon of the state highway engineer. An
engineer named by the county court or
by the people will be placed in actual
charge of construction.
Throughout the state for weeks. the
local and county oranges have studied
he various road bills, all Of them Or
yanized labor has given extensive in
sestigation to the problems proposed
IN the various bills, and has approved
.he grange measures 324-32G, and is
them in the newspapers Of
he organization and through the cen
raj labor council Of Portland.
The grange bills have been brought