The Washington times., 1912-01-16
GOOD ROADS CHIEF
ASKS LIQUOR TAX TO
IMPROVE HIGHWAYS
Jesse Taylor, of Ohio FEEDER
alton, Wants 10 Per Cent
Duty Imposed.

Advocating an addltiondl ihtefhai
revenue tax Of 10 per cent on liquors
and cigars, the revenue thus derived
to be used in building good roads
throughout the country, Jesse ray
lor, president of the Ohio Good Roads
Federation, aroused the delegates to
the first Federal aid convention to a
high pitch of enthusiasm at the open
ing session today at the Raleigh
Hotel ....
with such q tax in force and de-
voted to this purpose we could in
twenty Ave years have the greatest
system Of public highways in the
world" declared the speaker.
The topic assigned to Mr.. Taylor
was Rural Folks and Mud Roads,"
and he handled 1t in such a way as to
start the convention off with a big
burst Of enthusiasm.
While he confessed he did not own
figures to prove that good system
of highways throughout the nation
would do much toward reducing the
high cost Of living.
Cheaper Abroad.
THE cost per ton mile of hauling
the farmers produce in England and
France Is approximately 81s cents,
while in this country 1t is 23 cents,
and this speaks eloquently Of the
need for better highways" said Mr..
Taayler; a.nn:,.,. 80. , ,,>u,,,,,,...
lions for improving the highways of
our insular possessions, but when it is
suggested that the Federal Government
give its aid in improving the roadways
goes up end the old cry that 1t is
against our beloved Constitution is
raised. If it is right to, shoot millions
to improve their roads it is certainly
right that something should be done
ways
that from 1882 until the last agricultural
appropriation bill was passed by Con-
gress not one cent of money had been
voted for roadway Improvement. In
preparation Of $4,000 for highway i'm
provement, and in the mass of items 1t
was one thing that caught President
Taft's eye. AS soon as the bill became
a law he requested the money be used
at once In improving the road leading
from Washington to the Chevy Chase
Club.
"a deal was made with the State of
equal amount of money and the result
Is the President has a fine roadway
leading to the club where he plays
golf. II this appropriation was proper
there Is no question but what the Gov
ernment can appropriate monev'in large
sums to aid in building better roads"
Declares war.
Mr.. Taylor declared war on Senator
Burton of Ohio, for his opposition to
the movement to obtain Federal aid in
building roads, saying he was going to
do every thing in his power to drive
him into the Great Lakes"
The convention was opened by Robert
p. Hooper. president Of the American
powerful organization CT the Kind in the
f.country: He called attention to the fact
hat the 9
convention: seventeen boards of trade
and chambers Of commerce had sent
twerty-eisht delegates thirteen good
\ roads associations, twenty-seven dele
delegates. and twenty-six automobile
clubs and associations. thirty-two dele
gates. In all. eighty-one organizations
were represented in the convention by
1876 delegates, besides many not claS-
slied Fifty or more delegates have
seen delayed ir arriving on account of
George G. niehl. chairman of the
Automobile Association, outlined the
purposes Of the convention Congress
man James F. Byrne. of South Caro-
lima, in his address. pointed out why
post roads.
At the suggestion Of Lewis r. Speare.
of Boston, a committee on resolutions
was appointed. to which will b. referred
all resolutions for action before they
come before the convention. The reso-
lutions committee is composed Of the
following. Robert P. Hooper. Of Penn
sylvania, being chairman:
Lewis r. Speare, Massachusetts
Charles Henry Davis, New York; Frank
M Joyce, Minnesota; J. H. Cook, Ala.
bama; Ralph w. Smith, Colorado; A
G. Batchelder, New Jersey; Jesse Tay.
lor. Ohio: Philip T. Colegrove, Michigan
8. s. Ballard, Vermont: Roy F. Britton,
Missouri; e. g; Kuster, California: Doll
Maine: George W. Baker, Texas; John
N. Brooks, Connecticut; DR.. H. M
Rowe, Maryland; Preston Belvin, Vir-
ginia: W. D. Hosford, Nebraska; Gen
T. Coleman du Pont. and o. C. Barber
An interesting development during the
day was poll of the Ohio Congress