The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-06-22

| which are designed to carry trat-
iic in which the importance of the
through travel exceeds that of the
lccal requirements; so that the
people of the commonwealth, in
stead OF the people of a community,
should pay the cost of construction
and maintenance. and permit the
resources of individual localities to
be expended in the lesser roads,
which naturally act as feeders to
the main lines.
The Pennsylvania legislature of
1911 enacted a law--called the
iSproul' law providing for system
of state roads approximately 5000
miles in extent. and reaching every
county seat, every large center of
population. and state lines in
great number of places where con-
nections with the roads of other
states may be made. The state
highway department was reorganiz-
ed on a new and greatly enlarged
basis, and activity became rampant
June l, 1912. was the Limit of
time set by law. for the state high
way department to survey and take
over into The care of the state the
highways constituting the system
ts.e roads also included such toll
roads as could be secured on rea-
sonahle terms and without litiga-
tion \ number OF these we're taken
over.
Three million dollars was appro-
priated to cover the expenses, and
provide for Improvement until the
legislature should again meet and
maze further appropriations.
The highways taken over the first
of June and previously cover
practically the entire state highway
system and the roads are now I'M
der the care of the state So mucn
work has to be done in repairs to
them p ssable that ii is considered
questionable whether there will be
any Of The $3,040000 lett for new
construction, pending the next meet
ing Of the legislature.
AT the same time the system of
state highways was established a
resolution was passed by the legis-
lature so amending the Pennsyl-
yania constitution as to permit the
issue of bonds to the extent of $50
0000, for road purposes. Under
the Pennsylvania basic llw. such
resolution must he passed by two
successive legislatures, then be vot-
ed on by the people, and then the
next legislature must enact laws ar
ranging the details. The legislature
Of 1913 viii undoubtedly pass the
r. resolution aud the voters at the
1913 election are expected to vote
in it's favor. Then instead of wait
ing two ycsrs more for the legisla-
ture of 1915, it is expected that
Coz Tener who greatly favors the
measure viii call an extra session
TO provide the details. In the mean
lime the state has the roads, and |
viii take care Of them with such
'unds as may be provided
j. II. Weeks, chairman of the |
good roads committee of the Penn
;Nyania Motor Federation, the A.
A. A. state tody has been in the
thick of the work. getting it ad- |
yanced by the legislature, and Is eX- |
Dected to direct much Of the educa-
iQnal work necessary in explaining |
the value Of the system to the
people that they may vote right at |
he election. President Robert p.
Hooper. who is also the head Of the
national association, and other fed
Grafton officials are aiding the |
good roads committee
Nearly every membor # the Penn
;ylvania delegation in ngress is in
'ayor of federal aid i'll the building |
If such roads as carry a heavy in
erstate travel The legitimate out
growth of the country road system
vas the system of st2@~ roads; and
he growth of the state road idea
nto q comprehension Of the necessity
or national roads Is only keeping
Up with the development of traffic.