Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-11
IMPROVED ROADS
EDITORS SUBJECT
Orange Judd Farmer Declares
Taxation Will Not Be High
With Good Roads.
From Orange Judd Farmer.)

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Possibly the liyeliest road meeting
ever held in Illinois occurred at Spring
held Jan. -. It was held under the
auspices Of the Illinois Highway I'M
proyement association w. G. Edens
Of Chicago is president This particu.
lar meeting was worked up BY the IL
hnois Manufacturers association The
TWO sessions were attended BY about
GOO good roads enthusiasts from all
parts Of the state, representing every
business interest Chambers of com
merce sent their representatives. farm
ers were on hand. the automobile
people presented their side OF the
question, the bankers described the
WORK that their state association is
trying 10 do 20 better agricultural con.
dltons. the federation of wonan's
clubs was on hand. the University Of
Illinois sent Wilhelm Miller over with
his splendid stereopticon lecture chow
ing how the roads OF this state may
easily be beauufed.
The most interesting discussion Of
the whole meeting and the one OF by
far the greatest importance, was the
consideration OF the Tice bill which
VII be introduced into the legislature
uf the present session Mr.. Tice was
present and made a very concise state
ment Of the principal features OF his
bill then answered numerous ques-
tons which were propounded. Every
phase OF the problem was considered
In brief. the Tioe bill provides for:
Creation OF a state highway depart
ment, the executive Of which is 10 be
a state highway commissioner, appoint
ed by the governor.
State TO have full authority in con
struction OF all highways and bridges
bilded by state aid, and after com
pletion, the highways and bridges TO
be under control and management Of
state highway department and wholly
maintained by the state.
Uniform system OF construction and
maintaining public highways.
Forty feet to be standard width OF
oil public highways, subject to topo-
graphical conditions.
County board TO grant the right and
FIX the compensation for use OF any
part Of state and roads by public utii-
tiles subject to approval by state de-
partment.
All convicts in state prison physi-
Cally nble 20 ne employed in prepare
ticn Of road construction material,
md n found expedient, may be en-
ployed on highways.
state automobile license fees shall
he payable to the highway commits
eIoncr. who shall collect from the jus
fTrp OF the peace fines for Offenses
committed on state aid roads. All H.
ceuFo fees collected under automobile
laws shall be used for constructing and
maintaining state aid roads.
From all over the state come eX
rrcssions OF desire 70 improve Illinois
roads :. Z Bradt OF DeKalb present
ed an admirable paper on the hnan
clal end OF road Improvement.
G. A. Killer OF Champaign, and rep
rcseutinr the Champaign chamber o.
commerce. stated that eight years age
81 was risky thing 70 mention roat
Improvement In Champaign county. HI
called attention TO the fact that wheT
committee OF experts visited tina
county and presented the matter e
tho farmers. they were all but mobbed
and strange 70 say, the chief objection
was made by one OF the professors II
the University OF Illinois To-day tn,
farmers I'm Champaign county are be
ginning 10 realize that they must hav'