The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-10-07

1
taken should unquestionably result in
the fostering of this spirit and in the
efficient direction of the activities to
which it may lead.
Another difficulty to be avoided is
the over Capitalization Of activity In
these intimate internal matters and
the building up Of a great and power
full bureau in Washington, with an
ever increasing control over the high
ways OF the country. The dictates
of prudence and experience are that
SO far as possible such agencies as
may be required should be efficiently
developed in the several states and
tat the federal agencies should work
in spirit of complete and helpful
cooperation and assistance.
The first practical essentials in the
planning Of road legislation would
seem to be to recognize the states
as the smallest unit with which the
federal government might deal. This
would give relief in a measure from
the insistent demand that would come
| from every township and every dis
| trict in the union for its share OF
state or federal assistance, without
| reference to the merits of the case
OF the practicability Of the undertake
ing. As has been stated, many of the
states now have efficient state high
1 way departments, and thus afford or
| "a nized agencies with which the fed
eral office could deal. 1t would seem
| that the basic feature would be such
cooperation between the states and
the federal government as would
cave with the states the initiative in
the selection of roads to receive aid
and as much of the Immediate con.
struction and maintenance as would
be practicable. In the case of roads
on which federal money is to be
expended it would seem essential and
wise that the federal agency should
/
| ave the requisite power of the ap
| prevail of the selection, supervision o.
| the construction and maintenance, and
the right of inspection, for the plain
and simple ordinary purpose of see
ing that the federal money is applied
to the purpose for which 1t was voted
and is efficiently expended.
1t is reasonably clear that for
every reason there must be some au
tomato check upon the demands to
| be made upon congress and that this
should be afforded through the re
quirement that the states and the
localities should contribute an amour
both for construction and mainten-
ance at least equal to and possibly
| double that contributed by the fed
eral government; and that in the ap.
portionment of any possible federal
funds a number of basic factors such
as population. area, wealth, or mini.
mum cost of construction, should con
troll, ! have not the least doubt.
There may be those who will view
with alarm any suggestion that the
federal government cooperate with
the states financially in road building
and more especially that it exercise
an adequate measure of control and
supervision even over the expendi.
ture OF its own funds. The cry of
centralization-that the federal gov.
eminent aims unduly to extend its
powers may again be raised. Yet in
a field OF common interest and of in.
separable activities what could be
more natural than cooperation and
mutual assistance? Why should the
two jurisdictions serving the same
people forever stand part and view
each other with suspicion and distrust
while nothing is done or much is
wasted? And is II not worthy OF note
that the alarm never seizes such PEG.
pie at the safe OF the discussion in
which 1t would be OF most value
They are not in the least timid In
their approaches to the federal treas
ury and their courage fails them onl,
when II Is suggested that the fedora
government has right TO see thai
the money OF the people OF the nation
is wisely and efficiently expended. I
they are to take counsel OF thei,
alarms let them do so before they de
termine to assault the treasury.
In short, as practical program
believe that this matter is one II
which haste can be slowly made
The people will sanction reasonable
expenditure of their money-and /
is their money and theirs only, whe
Their IT be expended through the fed
eral government or the state-wher
they are convinced that II Is apple,
to a wise purpose and will yield thu
results anticipated And am i'm
pressed by the wisdom of the actor