Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-28
CONVENTION ASKS
GOOD ROADS LAW
Illinois Highway Improvement
Body Seeks State and
County Cooperation.

Peoria, Ill, Sept. 2s.-Recommenda-
tions for state legislation providing
measures of advantage to farmers and
urban citizens alike through the con-
struction of good roads were adopted
at the first state convention of the
Illinois Highway Improvement associ-
alton held here yesterday.
Use of convict labor on state and
county highways, although eventually
incorporated il the recommendations.
caused criticism on the ground its
moral effect On both the general pub
lie and the convicts would be bad.
present unavailable. as the mahufac-
turing departments of the Illinois state
prisons are behind with orders.
The recommendations endorsed by
the convention are:
State and county cooperation in the
construction aad maintenance of main
highways and bridges
A non-political state highway COM
mission of at least three competent
members, who shall devote their entire
time to their duties.
Improvement in such counties as
elect TO come under the provisions of
the law of main continuous ihter
county highways, connecting county
seats and important cities, principally
at the expense of the state and coun-
ty; such roads to be selected and i'm
proved by county authorities subject
to the approval of the state highway
commission, and after Improvement
to be turned over to the state for per-
petual maintenance
Improvement, maintenance and con-
troll of remaining roads, about so per
cent of the whole, UNDER provisions
of the county and township authori-
ties.
Effective measures to guarantee
maintenance after roads are once con-
structed.
Use of the state automobile tax, to-
gether with such other funds as the
legislature may appropriate, in the
improvement of highways.
Extension of the emp.oyment of
prisoners in state institutions in the
preparation of material for road build
ing, and the use of state prisoners,
under state direction, on an honor sys-
TEN, in actual road work when practi-
cable.
Payment of all road taxes in cash.
Compulsory dragging of all dirt
roads.
Safety for road users through ell
forcing rules of the road" and the
proper construction and guarding OF
crossings at railroads and the inter
section of streets and highways.
The afternoon session of the con.
vehtion, presided over by w. G. Edens
OF Chicago, developed the fact that
from the farmers point of view. at
least, the roads of Illinois are in a
/ deplorable condition several months
of the year
/ The committee on policy in its re-
port pointed out that Illinois $1,000
miles of public highways are left 10
the haphazard efforts of 1890 high
way commissioners, working indie.
pendently of each other, poorly paid
largely inexperienced and provided
with inadequate funds.
Bad roads stagnate business" said
Jesse Taylor, editor of Better Roads
I jamestown, Ohio. We could accom-
plish an annual saving of $l37 200, O0f
on the transportation of crops if thc
highways were improved. Another
thing | want TO drive home to you is
OF the women inmates of insane asy
lums, a large per cent are from Tura
districts. They are driven there be
cause of the utter loneliness of theil
community, and the communities are
lonely only because the roads are i'm
passable"
Mrs. H. NJ Dunlap of the Illinois
Farmers Institute said: IF we eX
pect to have a better, happier AM
more contented womanhood, we mus
have better roads. There is 40 great
er influence for good"
Displays and demonstrations rang
ing from giant tractors blowing fur
! rows 80 feet wide and trucks carryini
ten tons TO the tiniest sewing machine
: attachment and daintiest automobile
were made at the second annual ma
tional implement and vehicle show
which opened 10 days exhibit.