Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-01-12
GOOD A

GOOD ROADS SENTIMENT.
That there Is an abundance OF
good roads sentiment among the
members of the legislature is shown
by the number of requests made by
senators and representatives for APP
pointment to the committee on high
ways and bridges. This is a good
sign that the matter will at least be
threshed over at this session and
where there is the honest purpose
shown by the legislators in going into
this question, there is sure to be much
good result. AS in all movements for
a law which shall have for its aim the
advancement and prosperity of our
citizens, there must first be a demand,
and then an era of discussions and
conflicting opinions, then the trial Of
laws which may have been placed on
the statute books by a compromise
between the friends and enemies Of
/" llIS lllCdoulS. GAL blltoC ottlo VI Nu-
vocational and then finally we come to
the enactment Of a law which proves
itself to be the best suited to the
conditions found in the stala or ma
ton.
The demand for better roads in
North Dakota has been heard for a
long time and this demand has in
~y:reased very materially during the
mpast four years.
. ! Good roads bills introduced ut the
y 900 session of the legislature met
with little consideration. Such bills
introduced in the 1911 session were
much better, received and a county
superintendent of highways law was
passed, which has been taken advan-
tage of by several counties in the
state, and results obtained by these
counties in improving road conditions
are better than under the old system.
But this law was a compromise be.
tween dierent factions and probably
can be improved upon at this session.
So Tar the advance in good roads leg
islation has been practically only ed
vocational, but the Tribune believes
that we are to see real good roads leg
islation enacted at this session.
In drawing new laws or any sub
;iect it is generally considered wise
to investigate the laws Of other states
upon the subject, and then, taking in
to consideration the local conditions,
construct a law based upon their ex-
%perience. So it should be in drawing
good roads bills that the authors OF
other states and find what the expert
ence has been with new highway laws
where the local conditions are similar
to those in North Dakota.
Abundant information may be found
in the office of the legislative librarian
and in the office of the state engineer,
which latter Office has made a special
study OF this subject. 1t is important
to know that not a single state that
has finally enacted proper highway
laws and are constructing and main
tanning highways under the new sys-
i. tenn has ever gone back to the old.
1t is important to remember that
there is under way an amendment to
the constitution, which if taken up
and passed by the present Legislature,
will probably carry at the general
election in 1914. and appropriations
for state aid can be made at the 1915
legislative session.
With state aid in highway construc-
ton and maintenance it will Zoe nee
essary to provide either a highway
commission composed of several mem
bers, or a highway commissioner to
oversee the disbursement Of the
funds, and to- see that the funds ap-
propriated for state aid are wisely ex-
pended. The Tribune believes that
it would not be premature to at this
time create a highway commission,
composed Of state officers as ex-officio
members, who shall serve without
ira pay, and thus be better prepared
with proper administrative machinery
to expend the state aid fund when
such a fund is created. Until such
time as this fund will be created,