The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1913-03-28
last GOOD ROAD
LEGISLATION

LEGlSLAllUN
An agitation extending over per-
iod of ten years or more has finally
resulted in a national sentiment in
favor of good public highways. Asso-
Citations have been organized for the
purpose of securing the help of con-
gress. Among the national organi-
cations is the National Highways As
ISOLATION whose purpose is to con-
struct three trunk lines from the At
lantic to the Pacific and one trunk
line from the Great Lakes to the Cult
of Mexico. The project also in
cludes numerous branches and feeders.
This association is trying to enlist
the sympathy of the public that the
help of congress may be secured.
What success will attend the efforts
of the National Highways Association
is still matter of conjecture. 1t will
at least arouse the public to a realiza-
ton of the necessity for good roads
and in time help will come from the
federal government. In the mean
time the different states of the Union
have taken up the subject. Every
state has done something or
other to promote and encourage the
construction of roads during the past
few years. The way has been pre-
pared for the people. AS it be-
comes apparent to the majority in any
given locality that the construction OF
good roads is to its advantage steps
to secure such roads can be taken.
The legislation is now upon the sta
tute books of many states. 1t Is
highly gratifying to the people OF
Idaho that this state is to the front
in this movement. Idaho boasts as
high a type of citizenship as any of
the states. The people of this state
are enterprising, progressive and
quick to see the advantages of amy
movement that will prove a benefit
to them. In consequence of the legis-
lation enacted at the session OF the
legislature just closed great amount
of highway building will take place
during the next few years.
Forty Millions for Roads.
In reviewing the highway legislation
enacted recently Hon. Theodore Iur-
ner of PoCatello, eX-state auditor and
president of the State Automobile as
ISOLATION, says that the legislature
prepared the way for the expenditure
of $4U,UUO,OOOOO on roads during the
next ~ years. AS the association OF
which Mr.. Turner is president was
very active and instrumental IN Sc
curing the passage OF the present laws
he feels highly gratified over the re-
suits. The legislature simply passed
laws enabling the people to build
roads when they become convinced
that they could do SO. AS they cannot
afford to postpone the construction
of highways any longer than condit-
ions make necessary It is likely that
the forty millions which are available
will be spent during the time MENTION
ed by Mr.. Turner. The growth and
development of the state will en-
courage the building of the roads.
Many communities now appreciate the
advantage of good roads but their
wealth and population deny them the
privilege. This is a new, thinly popu-
lated state of magnificent distances
These facts have hindered the build
ing of roads. The roads absolutely
necessary are the only ones the peo-
pie have been able to build. A few
more years will witness great change
in this respect.
Legislation Enacted.
Idaho now has state highway
commission which will in time create
system of highways covering the
entire state. The secretary of state,
the state engineer and the head of the
engineering department of the univer-
sity are made members of the COM
mission Two other commissioners
are to be appointed by the governor.
The fund to pay the general expenses,
the expenses of the commissioners,
the highway engineer and to care for
the road and bridge improvements,
will be raised exclusively by the auto
mobile owners of the state. At the
same session a bond issue of 100000
was authorized.
The general powers given the COM
mission permit them to have abso-
lutte control of the state highways.
including the letting of contracts, re-
ceiving of bids, the designation of i'm
provements, to expend the fund
created, to adopt uniform system of
state roads and regulations governing
same, to investigate methods of road
construction, to improve, alter or dis
continue any state road, to divide the
state into different highway districts,
to employ help of all kinds and to
supervise the registration and license
of automobiles, motor cycles and mo-
tor vehicle manufacturers and dealers
The license fee is regulated by the
horsepower of the machine for which