Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-03-02
Idea That Good Roads Are
Luxury Has Been Ex.
p|odcd Long Time Ago
Lack Of Good Highways Is
Hinderilg Rapid Progress
Of North Dakota

North Dakota is rich in everything
else but good roads.
The stimulus and self-cOntidence
born of a wonderful awakening to a
new agricultural era and a period OF
significant railroad development have
quickened progress. The rich native
grasses, the broad grazing lands and
the splendid farm soil have made the
state an agricultural empire.
Progressing as it is in everything
else. it is backward in the building OF
state highways, and the money which
is being yearly lost through impass-
able roads would build a system of
highways which, in time, would rival
those of the leading bodybuilding
states Of the east. Although roads
could be built more cheaply in this
state because OF the absence Of heavy
road grades, there has been a lacka-
daisical spirit shown b the legislat-
Ors. and in the minds of many citizens
this branch of state government has
not received the attention which it de.
mandS.
The idea that good roads are a lux
| ury has long since been exploded.
, Evcryonc-trom the owne" OF 4 one
horse chaisa to the owner OF a ninety
! horse power motor car-admltS that
! good roads and good city ~paVer:ents
are the best investments any town.
city or state can make.
In other states land values have in
creased at d rapid rate because of the
building of bituminous highways.
Farmers have been benefited greatly.
With a highway which is Eassable at
all s,asOnS o! the yea, the larlNar can
get 10 town with his produce any day
he wishes and get the benefit OF the
highest market quotations . The city
merchant is also benefited in the way
Ct increased ira q.
Switzerland stands out as a bright
example Of what good roaGs VIII DO
for a country. There, inside the
boundaries of that little republic. not
one quarter as large as the state OF
North Dakota, millions of dollars OF
American money that should be scat
tered in America, is thrown by the
iIlkce lOul lolS. u'l INV VIVA
and his bride marvel at waterfalls and
rich scenery, which would look insig-
nilcant if placed alongside of some Of
the wonders of North Dakota and the
United States.
1t is not for lack Of interets. agita-
ton and enthusiasm that North Da-
kota is without a comprehensive sys-
TEN of state highways. The motor
clubs in all the cities, the various
civic and commercial associations and
all the other apostles Of better high
WAYS have boosted for some time and
have made general and scientific
studies of the road ques' ion. The
farmers have also demanded more and
better highways.
The highway bill Of Senator Hughes
of Bismarck which was introduced III
the senate and later withdrawn be-
cause of it's alleged unconstitutional
ity has been substituted by a bill In
troduced by Representative Buck OF
Stutsman. The measure provides for
a one million dollar good roads bond
issue. This measure has been intro
duced in accordance with the desires
and recommendations Of Governor
Hanna. who contends that it's passage
will open the way to the creation OF
a state system of good roads that will
be second to none. The taxes derived
fro automobiles will pay the interest
on the bond, and funds derived in the
same manner would ultimately retire
4 the bonds.
Should a bond issue be approved by
the people at the election in 1916,
which is the time that the proposition
would be submitted at the general
election, legislation providing for the
use of the auto tax to pay the interest
and retire the bonds could be provid-
ed.
The number of automobiles is in.
creasing every year in this state and
by 1916 the fund would be a very large
one. Not only could the interest on
these bonds be payed. but a large
amount could be paid on the principle.
Although the state is backward IN
the building of state highways it is not
believed that this will impede the
progress of the various counties which
contemplate road work this year.
Road building organizations through
out the state are alive to the value OF
good roads and will construct as many
miles as possible this wear.
That it is not we'll to mix politics
with the highway work which is plan
ned by the counties in North Dakota
| seems to be the universal sentiment OF
all good road apostles. The people OF
the state have declared for a clean,
business.like administration of all mat
tiers pertaining to this work.
The close study Of road and paving
, conditions which is being made by the
| state, county and CITY engineers, as
we'll as by citizens who urge the build.
ing of state roads, will be helpful in
! carrying to a successful elimination
the suggestions made by the automo-
| bile clubs and the civic associations.
In other states graft has been more
| or less associated with road building
and city paving. The material have
been found to be lacking in qualities
which make a durable, dustless high
way or boulevard and in many in.
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