The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-19
States Are Showing Interest in
Good Road Movement.
Several of Them Are Organic
ing Highway Departments.
AMONG THE POP-POP men
Two TOpekans Saw Start of
"ShOrt Grass" Run.
Kansas Auto Association Has
Issued Official EmblemS.

While the effort to obtain national
government participation in the high
ways progress of the country accu-
mulateS force, the various states, one
after another, are adopting legisla-
ton providing for the establishment of
state highway departments. Accord
ing to information received by the A.
A. National Good Roads board,
which keeps in touch with the state
automobile bodies and aids material
ly in their work. there will be, as
result of recent legislative action,
road departments in Maine, Montana,
Mfsso uri. Colorado, Idaho, Arkansas
and Texas. This makes plainly APP
parent that the move for federal ac-
ton has not caused any laying down"
on the part of the states which have
their proper part to perform in the
general roads development.
OF the addresses given at the sec
ond federal aid convention in Wash
ington, called by the National Good
Roads board, none contained a more
comprehensive summing up of the sit
uation than the remarks of Repre-
sentative William P. Borland of Mis-
souri,, who, among other things, said:
Il believe that the good road ques-
ton is the biggest question, without
exception, now facing the American
people. In congress we are trying
earnestly and sincerely to deal with
this problem to the extent and char
acter of federal control and federal
aid 20 good roads. There are diff
cultieS confronting us.
Federal Aid Will Come.
Some of US believe in a continu
Gus system of roads; roads that go
somewhere; roads that give us the
benefit of the scientific progress of
engineering skill that has been de-
veloped in connection with road build
ing. We believe that federal aid, if
it comes at ail--and it must come
must mean better type of roads,
long roads, roads of higher class,
roads of a more permanent character,
roads that go somewhere, roads that
mean something in the development of
the country.
Il want to say to you frankly that
the easiest proposition to get through
any legislative body is not a PROPOSE
ton that really means betterment;
but a proposition that distributes it's
little advantages as widely as possible.
If we could take a little federal
money, or as much federal money as
we could lay our hands on, whatever
the amount might be, and spread it
out over every road district in the
United States, and put it in the hands
of the existing road overseers for the
existing system of roads, and not ask
anything in return, we could get the
greatest applause and the most tre-
mendOuS unanimity of opinion back
of it that any legislative proposition
possibly could get. There is no doubt
about that.
But here is the idea that must occur
to every thinking man. We do not have
to improve the 2150O00 miles of highways
in the United States. That need not stag
ger any mans imagination Experience
has shown at the very threshold of this
subject that 80 per cent of all the traffic
on roads goes over less than 10 per cent
of the roads. If we had system of good
roads leading fairly into every section of
the country, within the reasonable reach
of the majority of the citizens and pro-
ducers and tax payers of the country,
that system would be a vast advantage
over the present system of isolated local
control of highways.
IF we can bring that about by a spirit
of self-sacrifice and co-operation-not nee
essary with any stubbornneSS or pride of
opinion-but if we can get together on the
idea that it is better to have some good
roads than it is to have good roads,
then will all get behind some PROPOSE
ton and accomplish something for good
roads; and it is going to take that spirit
of cooperation and self-sacrifice to bring
about legislation
Pop-Pop News.
Two members of the Topeka Motorcycle
club returned this week from Hutchinson
where they went to see one hundred pop
pop men off on the much advertised short
grass run to Colorado.
The Topeka men Joined the eastern di,
vision of motorcycliStS at Emporia and
from there they went to the city of salt.
They left Emporia at 7:30 o'clock last
Saturday morning ana arrived IN ttutcn-
inson at noon. In the party there were
pop-pop men from as far east as Wiscon-
sin. Illinois and Indiana were also rep
resented.
Saturday motorcycle races were held at
Hutchinson. Monday morning the start
of the big run was made.
The members of the local pop-pop club
plan a number of short runs this sum-
mer. A meeting of the club was held Fri
day night in the rooms of the Commercial
club.
Automobile Emblem.
The Kansas State Automobile associa-
tion has had made official emblems that
will be furnished to hotels and garages
in Kansas which are recommended by the
management of the five thousand mem
hers The emblems are of steel with
baked enamel lettering and 14x16 inches |
in size
..NIiracIe'' at the Novelty. |
The largest and most impressive feature |
ar,la.- hif.l- Anne2rGd II lODeka