Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-30
UP TO CITIES To
HELP WITH ROADS
Rural Communities Cannot Be
Expected to Keep the APP
proaches in Condition.

Tin reproduces an address OF S. E.
Bradt. state highway commissioner.
before the Illinois farmers institute.
:, which the necessity OF cities taxing
themselves 10 support highways lead
ing 10 them is pointed out. the case OF
Gslesburg being cited. Mr.. Bradt
SAYS:
There are many things in the state
o. Illinois waiting for good roads; the
consolidated schools, the back TO the
farm movement. as well as many other
things. but what are good roads wait
ing for T1ev are only waiting for the
money with which TO build them. We
have the law and are in shape 10 build
the roads just as soon as We get the
necessary funds. and is what we must
have before we can make much pro-
gress.
u want TO call your attention for
iust q moment 20 the cost that will
come upon the farmers. Under the
old law the burden OF road improve
nent rested upon the township. and II
there was no village within the town
ship It all rested upon the farmers, or
get along without the improvement
A number OF the large cities paid no
share Of the cost of the roads in their
vicinity. The limits of the city of
Calesburg and the township in which
GalesburE is located are identical
Therefore. the city of Galesburg has
paid no cost Of road improvement out
side OF the city limits. In consequence
Galesburg is surrounded by mud roads
m - ~ Of
ford is located in al extraordinarily
large township. the limits OF which ex-
tend several miles beyond the limits
Of the city. Rockford has been paying
q road and bridge tax, a large part of
which has been expended outside of
the city. They therefore have a fine /
sTstem Of well macadamized roads out |
side OF the city extending TO the limits /
Of the township.
Chicago is one Of the cities that has I
been paying no part Of the improve
-lelt and maintenance OF roads out
side Of Cook county. The new law
brings Chicago into the field of assist
ing in road construction under q
state tax. II also brings Galesburg
and every other large city into the
field OF road building through a county
tax as well as the state tax.
"Uader the new law only % per cent
OF the amount that is paid into the
state road fund from Cook county is
expended in Cook county, leaving 75
per cent OF the amount which Cook
county pays. or 100000 out of sI,1OO.-
600 appropriated. TO be expended in
the state outside Of Cook county. This (
amount which Cook county pays TO be
expended on down state roads. togeth-
er with the amounts contributed by 1
the cities, reduces the proportion
which the farmer pays for improving 1
this system Of state aid roads 70 40 per
cent CT the total cost.
Some 500 townships in which the
farmers paid al least 30 per cent of
the cost OF road Improvement will. IN
der the new law. take from the farm
ers only 40 per cent Of the cost or the
improvement. The balance of the cost
OF the roads will be paid as follows:
10 per cent by city lots and improve
ments. 10 per cent BY personal prop 4
erty. per cent by railroads and other
corporations, - per cent BY Cook 4
county. Including the appropriations
from the legislature. amounting TO 81
100000. and the fund contributed by
ne counties Of Ike amount, there will
De expended upon the roads Of this
state during 1914 and 1915, S2.2OO.OJO.
" this amount 100000 will be ex.
pended in Cook county. leaving 1880 E
VVO TO be expended outside or Cook
county Forty per cents OF this amount E
would be S7s4.OOO. slightly in excess
OF cents per acre on the 34.OOO.OOO z
acres OF farm and in the state OF Hi \
nois. These figures are given you as &
confirming statements made by Mr.. y
wilson that the provisions Of this law 4
are directly in the interest Of the far Z
ner Il
" time permitted. should be glad Is
% go over the features Of the Tice bill y
more IN detail As # does not, viii 81
nose by calling your attention 10 one Is
eature as it pertains 10 the farmer. q
y mas been said in some sections of y
ne state that this commission is com e
1tted % building tTans-continen "
-1saEays and through routes. This. r
.ou will understand. We cannot do y
men you learn that the various boarda u,
supervisors or county commission y
Is throughout the state are the people E9
mo designate this entire system OF =
ate aid roads. / think / am not over &
-ating the facts when I say that 75 ~
q cent OF the supervisors are farm 2.
's- II Is. therefore. apparent that the "
fmers determine which are the main q
@rKet roads connecting the various Y
enters Of population throughout the "a
@'e- They not only determine the ~
e1e AID roads. but they also deter ~
ne the order in which this system "
roads shall be improved. I there 81
re say that this law not only gives -
e farmers the right 20 designate this ~
stem OF state aid roads. but also re- =
ives them OF a very large part OF the Il
'st OF Improving these roads az com ~
reo with the former legislation"