Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-11
Organization of County High
way Improvement Society
Is Effected.
FINE MEETING Is HELD
Session at Rock Island Club Addressed
by W. c. Edens, President Of
State Body.

lated looking toward making the so
ciety positive agency in the import
ant work Of lettering the roads OF
this section
II. 8. Cable acted as chairman OF
the gathering, calling William Butter.
worth to the chair 20 preside over part
OF the session. Dinner was served at
$50. after which the constitution and
bylaws read by 4. p. Johnson OF East
Moline were discussed. Moline is to
he the headquarters of the associa-
ton The object OF the organization
was stated TO be TO harmonic and
correlate all efforts for the improve
ment OF the public wagon roads OF
Rock Island county, TO the end that
an adequate and efficient system OF
road construction. administration and
maintenance will be adopted; to
bring about economy in public expen-
diture. devoted TO highways. lighting.
construction OF roads. etc. to study
closely all traffic problems and CO.
operate with the government and au-
thorities in all matters pertaining to
the work of the association. y small
membership fee and annual dues will
be charged all members.
Mr.. Woodcock Is Heard.
Edwin W. Woodcock OF Moline in
an elaborate and carefully prepared
paper. recited the objects OF the asso-
citation. spoke of the broad and com
prehensive scope OF the association,
and held that with proper attention
and energy desired results will be
accomplished. The results he main
tanned cannot be accomplished by one
individual or group OF individuals
without some effective working or
gani5ation possessing constructive
weight and influence. II is therefore
very important that for Rock Island
county particularly that such an organ
iZation become effective at the earliest
possible moment
Last week" said Mr.. Woodcock. Il
made a trip TO Washington in further
search OF good roads information
While there ] had several conferences
with Mr.. Logan Waller Page. who is
director Of the public good roads de
partment OF the federal government
and he gave me renewed assurance
that his Office would be glad 10 CO
operate in every possible way TO
further the educational interests OF
the proposed association.
i learned that as a result OF CO.
operation between the American Bar
association and the American High I
way association, both of which are ma
tional i'm scope and influence. a def
mite effort il being made TO revise the
chaotic road laws OF the various states
with a view of codifying and simpIi- .
Tying them and making them more
uniform. The plan which has been
evolved is so comprehensive that il is
believed IL will eventually result in a
more uniform system OF all laws. not
merely those dealing with road mat
tiers. but with many other subjects
which demand prompt consideration
and action in this reconstructive age
OF Civilizing activities
1T is justly claimed by the Ameri-
can Highway association that most OF
the road legislation in various states
Is antiquated and in many instances
obsolete. Many of the road LAWS are
100 years old They are based on
colonial legislation which in turn was
based on ancient English precedent.
They. therefore. are not suitable TO
the requirements OF present day con
ditions
Lack OF Uniform Laws.
There being so little uniformity in
the laws governing the different
states. puts many obstacles in the way
of those who are seeking TO gives
entire nation a comprehensive net
work OF improved highways II was /;
owing to this lack OF uniformity in
state laws that caused the committee
on organization to recommend at this
cooperative meeting that the proposed
association be called the Rock Island /
County Highway Improvement asso- {
citation, until such time as the states I
OF Illinois and Iowa have perfected
more uniform road laws. Our Scott {
county friends will no doubt effect q {
similar organization TO comply with I
the state laws OF Iowa. and the same /
broad spirit OF cooperation can be de- (
veloped under these two organisations c
The same as IL the four cities were &
acting in concert under one joint as
as at first proposed. G
As result OF this developing new c
ase spirit Of cooperation the Ameri- S
ran Highway and the American Bar q
will join in asking the d
governors OF the various states TO u
Irge upon the legislatures the ap- n
continent OF commissioners who will q
'odify. reverse and simplify the laws v
low in effect. p
Il mention these facts in order to b
how that a nation wide movement is a
low intelligenty working 20 have our Il
avs changed 10 meet the require s.
nents OF modern civilization. II is.
therefore,. menifestiy important that Il
he proposed Rock Island County n
Improvement association n
hould keep in close touch with the 81
rystaiizinG thought OF this movement Il
or the purpose OF cooperating and n
lastening the day OF emancipation d