The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-10-24
WILL VOTE ON
GOOD ROADS LAW
THIS GOOD MEASURE WILL BE
UP TO VOTERS OF BROOK
iNGS COUNTY.
PROF. SOLBERG EXPLAINS THE LAW
1t is of lnestimabIe Benefit to Every
Class and Should Have Endorse
ment of the Voters.

Prof. II. G. Solberg, the road expert,
hands us the following article in refer
ence to the good roads law which will
be up to the voters for their approval,
or d~isapproval, at the general election
OF November 9Th. The Register be-
lieves that while this law is not entire
ly satisfactory it is so much of an i'm
provenlent over the old road law that
the people cannot afford to urn it
down. Good roads are something of
inestimable benefit to a community
and if we are to grow and prosper We
must have them. Prof. Solberg says:
one of the most important ques-
tions to come before the people of
BrOokings county at the next general
election is the adoption or rejection
OF the new roads law. This law was
passed by the last session Of the legis-
lature, and is generally known as the
~'Issenhuth Law" 1t was promptly
adopted by a large majority Of the
counties in the state, but was refer
ended by some of the eastern coun-
ties, including Bookings county.
The amount of poor roads in Brook
ing county and the special efforts put
forth to improve the same by private
subscription during the past year, is
sufficient evidence that a great mis-
take was made in defering the adop-
ton of the new law. The old road
law, has outlived its usefulness. 1t is
too far behind the progressive spirit
of the times to be of any value what
soever. Hence any Improvement over
the old system ought to be hailed with
delight by all fair minded people.
While the new law may not be per.
feet III every way, still it must be ad-
mitted that it is a great improvement
over the old law; and it should re-
ceive the hearty endorsement Of every
voter in Brookings county.
The argument has been advanced in
the past that the automobile owners
were the only people interested in
good roads, but with the great crops,
which the farmers have to haul to
market this fall, and the expense in
VOWED, it must be admitted that the
farmers Will be benefited more in
Dollars and Cents" by good roads
thar any other class of people.
1t is also freely admitted that with
the high cos Of labor, a farmer can
no longer afford to spend his time
working out his road tax at the rate
Of pay allowed under the old law.
Hence a great many have during the
past year paid the road tax in cash.
Now if the road tax is paid in cash
anyway, why not allow the county
commissioners to take charge of the
road construction, where extensive
road work is required. That is, place
the road construction on practically
the same basis as bridge construction
If a small culvert is built, the road
district builds it. If a large bridge is
to be put up, the county builds it. In
the same manner, if a few miles of
heavy road construction is required.
let the county do it, and if a short
piece of road needs fixing, let the
road district do it. This is practically
what is permitted under the Issenhuth
Law. In every county in the state
where the law was adopted, the people
are more than pleased with its opera
ton. If it works to the perfect salts
faction in every other county, it ought
to prove satisfactory in this county.
1t cannot be reasonably expected
that any person will donate his time
and energy, free Of charge, every
year to the cause Of road construction,
the same as was done during the past
year. Neither can it be expected that
any number Of private citizens,
tHouSn pubic spirited tney may De,
will after paying their regular taxes,
contribute as freely to road construc-
ton every year as was done this sum-
mer. Because roads are for the bene-
fit of the whole people, and should be
constructed and maintained by direct
taxation. Hence If road construction
Is to continue, a new system must be
adopted for carrying on the work.
No argument should be needed at
this time to convince anyone that i'm
proved roads decrease the local cost
OF transportation, and at the same
time increase property values. for
that Is now accepted as an establish.