Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1914-01-30

river and harbor improvements, and
there are districts that. upto date.
have made no demands for the APP
preparation of public money. All
districts have roads, and few Of
them may be classified as good
roads" and for that reason members
from all districts will demand rec
ognition when the good roads bill
is framed.
There's the rub. The leaders are
worried. II they get through this
session without appropriatipg 500
100000 or more for roads they will
thank their master The chances
are that an appropriation for the
purpose will be authorized, and at
the same time congress committed
to policy Of making annual al
lowances for roads just as it makes
an annual allowance for the improve
ment of rivers and near-rivers.
All sorts of proposals have been
made to congress for the improve
ment of roads. The one most likely
of adoption is that providing that
the cost shall be shared by the
federal and state governments, the
federal government, of course, to
contribute the lions snare in every
instance. Some members would
have the states and the federal gov
eminent issue bonds TO defray the
cost of making bad roads good; at
least one member would have the
states and counties issue bonds for
the purpose the bonds upon presen-
tation to the secretary Of the treas
ury TO be converted into currency.
Other members would have the gov
eminent make appropriations direct.
andimprove roads without the aid
of states, counties or other subdi1is-
ions. All Of these measures are
prodigal in proposing the appropria-
ton of money. The members inter
ested, or at least somo If them do
not intend to quarrel about method.
What they are seeking is results.
The good roads movement has
merit that is recognized by the lead
ers. They know that for social and
economic reasons it would be a good
thing to adopt a systematic policy
for highway Improvements. They
realize that in the attainment of this
end it will be necessary for the fed
eraI government to assist the states
They fear that if the pork barrel
principle is applied to good roads
that the cause itself will be dam
aged. Accordingly, they are trying
to reason that the good roads advo- /
Gates, to point out that if roads are
to be used for exploration as were
rivers and harbors and public build
ings in the old days that there will
be a reaction in public sentiment.
Among the bills providing for
good roads may be mentioned that /
what is known as the .
Bourne plan. This plan, if adopted |
would take 100 years to complete
and cost three billion dollars. Repre-
sentative Shackleford of Missouri |
has presented a bill that provides |
an appropriation of s22,0OO,OO0 a year
A bill has been ordered by Repre-
sentative Chandler of New York that |
authorizes an appropriation of $780,,
O00 600 for roads to be expended at .
the rate of s20,0O0,00O a year. Rep |
resentative Whitacre of Ohio intro
duced a bill appropriating a billion,
that the expenditure should .
cover a period of 40 years. Mr.. Lee
Of Georgia wants to begin by approp
rating 100000 the first year. and
500, 900, 900 annually thereafter. Rep
resentative Byrnes of South Carolina
would be content wit an annual ap-
of s12,OOO,OOO. Represen-
-ative Hobson of Alabama would help
he states if they would help them
selves. His bill provides the federal
government shall bear one-third of
he cost of road builing undertaken
~ the states.
Representative Dent of Alabama
would place the responsibility for mi
iating the good road improvement
IN the countless If the counties
would issue bonds, and turn the ;
onds over TO the treasury. Mr. Dent
you'd require the treasury to issue
urrency, which would have the
anne legal tender function as nation !
bank notes. such currency to be {
sed exclusively for road building. I
A good roads committee was S
reated by the house at the last ses- S
ion. 1t will initiate any legislation
long this line that may be under
aken by congress. The dealers say
nat Mr.. Shackleford, chairman of