The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-06
AID STATE ROADS
Senate Committee Works Out
Standard Plan.
Build Up Connecting Highways
Through State.
PLENTY OF MONEY AVAILABLE
Nearly $5,3OO,OOO i'm Use for
Next IL Months.
Paul Klein of Allen Heads
Joint Committee.

Not to be baff1ed by possible defeat
of the constitutional amendments ask
ing for corporation license tax and
internal improvements, the roads and
bridges committee of the state senate
is working night and day with the
state highway engineer in an attempt
to lay out over Kansas a network or
standard routes for good roads. When
this committee is ready to report to
the senate, it will have outlined a COM
plete two-years' program for the town
ship trustees. the road overSeerS and
the county commissioners of the state.
Here is the propositions:
In the year 1912 Kansas had $4,000, 600
to spend in the improvement of the
roadside money was spent. But what
has Kansas to show for it, is the SEN
ate committees question. They an
swer-only a piece of good road here
and there with a bad stretch in be-
tween. Repairs on bridges, culverts
and washed out highways-that is all
Kansas can show for her vast expend1-
ture in trying to make the country
districts passable.
In 1918 Kansas will have available
for the improvements of the roads il
regular taxation nearly s5,300,0O0 But
the money this year will be spent wise
ly if the committee under the chair
ty, has it's ideas placed on the statute
books.
The committee plan-and it is I'M
derstood that frequent conferences
with the house committee brings a con-
curing report before both houses-is
this:
Use Standard Methods ON Roads.
Lay out through the state a general
plan of building connecting roads. Put
it up to the county road builders this
way: Don't spend a little money here
and a little money there and only
patch your roads. Agree on standard
system of distributing the money along
the highways so that connecting
thoroughfare throughout the county
can be established. Don't adopt your
own personal ideas on the construc-
ton, the drainage and the grading of
your roads. Read what the state high
way engineer has to say on the sub
ject. Consult his standard of good
roads worked out by experienced men
and try and make your road to cor
respond.
1t is predicted by the joint senate
and house committee that in a few
years Kansas will have the best dirt
roads in the country. The trouble in
the past has been that every town
ship, every district and every county
worked out its own plan in the repair
OF the roads. No general good result
ed and millions of dollars We're wasted
annually.
Senator Carey, of Reno, has a bill
in the senate providing for a constitu
tional amendment giving the state the
right to build good roads. Represen-
tative Kincaid has similar bill in
the house. Senator Waggener
has resolution calling for
corporation franchise tax and motor
car tax-all to be used in the improve
ment of the highways.
But the roads and bridges commit
tee is not depending on the passage
of these resolutions. Even though they
are passed, they must be submitted to
the people for a vote. The concern of
the roads and bridges committee is the
building of the roads of Kansas in
1913 and 1914