Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-24
BLOW AT BRUNiBAUGH'S
STATE ROAD POLICY
Ware Leader in House Offers
Resolution Preventing
Change in Highway System.
trnoM A srArr connrsroNprxrl

HARRISBURG, March 4.-Represeuta-
tive William II. Wilson, of Philadelphia
Ware leader in the House, introduced a
resolution in the Legislature today that
would prevent Governor Brumbaugh from
changing the present State highway sys-
tenn in any way, and would require him
to take immediate action In the reorgani-
zation of the State Highway Department
The resolution was sent to committee
The preamble relates how the present
State highway system was formed
through the passage of the Sproul act in
1911, creating 5000 miles of state roads
and amendments made later adding 1900
miles additional roads and adds tnNt. ,i"-
spite earnest discussion as to highway
policy that has been going on throughout
the State, there is no evidence OF II COM
prehensive policy looking to a proper
State highway system. Attention is
called to the fact that approximately $780,
900 Is available for repair and upkccp
of the highways. The resolution declares
ut Is the sense of this House that the
entire mileage OF the State highway sys-
tenn as originally outlined in the Sproul
road bill and as subsequently increased
by the General Assembly of 1913 be kept
in tact as n nucleus for a state highway
policy and system, and that the State
Highway Department be directed to pro-
ceed at the earliest possible date in the
actual work of repair and maintenance of
the various roads comprising the State
highway system"
The resolution is direct slap at Gov
ernor Brumbaugh, who has been con-
sulting with people from all parts of
Pennsylvania in an effort to work out
the best possible method of reorganizing
not only the State Highway Department,
but also the State highway system. The
latest tentative plan discussed by him
is to cut down the mileage of State
owned roads to about 1900 miles. Under
this plan the State would own only the
principal trunk roads, would cooperate
with the counties in constructing and
maintaining the principal feeders" and
the townships would care for the smaller
roads. The Wilson resolution, IL passed.
would knock that plan in the head and
would tie the hands of the Governor.
This resolution is intended to procure
an expression of the members in the
matter of what policies should be adopted
on the road question:" said Representa-
tive Wilson in a statement today. what
ever is done should be started promptly.
The time is almost here to repair the
State roads. and the General Assembly
has not even taken up the question.
What should be done, in my judgment,
is clearly set forth in the resolution. In
dividuals may have ideas, but concerted
action is imperative. The people of this
State want results.
Every mile OF State road should be
put in proper condition as early as pos
sible. Any attempt to shift any part
or all of this responsibility back upon
the townships will greatly endanger the
whole plan or system, which has been
outlined at great expense under author
ity given by the acts of 1911 and 1913.
First we should set the wheels in
motion for the actual repair of the State
roads, and next we should make very
substantial appropriation to pay the
townships of the second class what is
owing to them on account of the levy
ing and collecting their road tax in cash.
If we do these two things, the entire
State will be pleased; II we fail. 1t will be
difficult to interest the citizens in new
plans or schemes to secure good roads"