Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-11-20
Executive Committee of Iowa Good
Roads Association to Draft
Measure.
PERMANENT ROADS FOR IOWA.
Believed Time Has Come to Start
Monument for Building of Sys-
TEN of Permanent Road
ways Across State.

good roads enthusiasts in Iowa i g. =
permanently improved highways NJ
plainly in evidence at the meeting o
the executive committee of the Iowa
Good Roads association last week.
All members of the committee were
present, representing practically ev-
cry section of the state, and declared
themselves in favor of an immediate
campaign for securing permanent
roads in the state and believe that
Iowa is ready for permanent high
ways.
1t was decided that a good roads
bill, involving provisions for start
toward permanent road construction
in Iowa, will be formulated as a re-
suit of the annual convention of the
ass ociation to be held in Des Moines
during December. The concensus of
opinion at the meeting was in favor
of presenting such measure before
the next session of the legislature.
The state convention undoubtedly
will provide for drawing up a bill
that will correct the mistakes in the
present good roads laws and make a
start toward permanent roads In
Iowa.
The present system of distributing
the portion of the auto tax for good
roads purposes Is not effective and
the best results are not being obtain
ed, according to the members of the
executive committee. They are OF
the opinion that the automobile tax
should be devoted to starting a sys-
tenn of permanently improved roads
in the state and that the money
should be expended under the direc-
tion of state highway commission.
According to reports made at the
meeting there is a general dissatis-
faction throughout the state with re-
spect to the present law.
The meeting of the executive COM
making arrangements for the annual
convention of the state association.
Although no definite date was select
ed, it was decided to hold the meet
ing during December. A committee
of five was appointed to select the
dates and have charge of the pro-
gram and preparations for the big
meeting. This committee, which will
meet in Des Moines this week, is
composed of Lafe Young, Sr., Thorn
as Mcdonald, of Ames, Senator Mich
olas Balkema of Sioux City, j. S.
Bellamy of Knoxville and Frank MINI
rocks of Ottumwa.
The annual convention will be rep
resented by every section of the state.
The officers of all organized highway
associations will be delegates. In
addition, it is expected to have at
least five of the most prominent road
enthusiasts in each county as repre-
sentatives of their respective dis
tricts. The association will cooper
ate with every good roads and auto-
mobile association in forwarding the
gospel of good roads in Iowa.
Lafayette Young, Sr., president of
the association, was most enthusias-
Tic over permanently improved roads.
During his recent trip to Europe,
Senator Young studied the good road
problem and brought home many
ideas.
1T is easy to see the great advan-
tage of permanently improved roads
in those countries where they have
them" said Senator Young. "As an
example, in England, Germany and
other European countries they carry
mail by automobile and give faster
and more frequent service than the
railroad trains. This is made pos
sible by the splendid roads"
T. H. Mcdonald, secretary of the
association, is in favor of using the
automobile tax as start in securing
permanent roads in Iowa. He be-
iieves that the money should be used
as a reward for good roads. work in
the various counties.
Il am confident that something
will be accomplished in the way OF
permanently improved roads as the
result of the coming convention OF
the Iowa Good Roads association" !"
said Mr.. Mcdonald. "The sentiment
in Iowa is now for permanently i'm
proved highways. The remarks OF
those present at the meeting of the
executive committee indicated that
Legislators of the state are in favor
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