Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-02-10

IA al uCiiNCiy lOduo. mere dlt fVuf-
900 miles of highways used by the
| federal government as post roads.
On the other hand it is argued that
the people who are benefited by the
rural free delivery should not object
to keeping up the road.
However, the loud clamor for ma
tional aid to construct highways be-
comes louder at every session Of con-
gress, and if congress has not
/ learned economy by her. experience
with rivers and harbors she may al
low some members or senators to
win favor at home by an appropria-
tion to be spent in his district or his
state; though on the whole this ac-
tivity of congress reflects the
strength of the movement for better
road sthroughOut the country. The
national government is encouraging
this movement and will doubtless
lend substantial financial assistance
to such states as engage in the un-
dertaking. | believe Senator Cum
Minis of Iowa has the right idea
when he says that the national gov
ernment should offer a subsidy for
each mile of permanent road con-
structed. No dollar can be invested
by the government that will return
so much. He also says he is against
centraliZing too extensively the pow
er of improving roads in the hands
of the state or government, The
where and when of road improve
ment should be left with each local
ity, but the central power should
determine how the roads should be
improved" Federal aid in building
the coast to coast highway and the
building of memorial roads would
seem a much wiser way than to erect
large, costly monuments. There are
such roads in the east and any city
would be proud to have a Lincoln
memorial road or a Mckinley high
way. 1t is a grand thing for con-
gress, state, city or individual to
build such fitting memorial to such
heroes as the brave men in the Lewis
and Clark expedition, the men who
built the Mullen road, the old Ore
gon and California trail, and the mil
itary road across the United States.
These roads are of historic interest
and were roads of untold value to
the nation.
Many of the states are taking up
in bold way the question of better
roads, and it has been noticed that
in the first place communities must
be taught to realize the value of
good roads, then determine to get
them and pay for them, are willing
to go about making there in a sys-
ment throughout the state has final
ly reached the point of demanding
up-to-date road laws from the legis-
lature-when the people are ready
and really want the improvements
they will get them. And when a
state or community reaches that
point they will in time discover ways
for the necessary supervision and
provide the needed funds.
1t was interesting to read in the
Scientific American last year the re-
ports from all the states. The ed
itor of the magazine sent to the state
engineers, highway officials and sec
retaries of state of every state in the
union a letter in which he asked
what the various states were doing
to improve thier roads and he stated
that it was regrettable discovery
that some few states still display
only lukewarm interest in the mat
ter of vital Importance to them
Most of the states gave very good
reports, but l find from Oregon
our large state where we have an
inexhaustible supply of gravel, sand
rock and all good road materials at
hand-the report is, mo information
can be obtained from the state au-
thorities. The total mileage of pub
lie roads is less than 10000"
But our present Legislature only
few days ago agreed that the people
in rejecting what road bills they did
at the last general election and ac-
cepting the two constitutional amend
ments placing limitation on bonded
Indebtedness for good road purposes,
practically put it up to the legisla-
ture to carry out some comprehen-
sive good roads plan.
This is the first time the senator's
as body have expressed themselves
as being certain that there should
be good roads legislation enacted,
and such legislation as will assure
the people chance of constructing
good roads. So let us still be hope
full.
The enthusiasm for good roads is