Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-07
BETTER ROADS COMMISSION.

The members of the Iowa better
roads commission met in Des Moines
last Tuesday and organized by electing
d. w. Norris chairman, and James NJ.
Brockway secretary. The work of the
commission was divided into sections
or divisions. Messrs. Meredith, Brock
way and Cameron. the members repre-
senting the farming interests will as
certain the effect of better roads on
farming properties in adjoining states;
Foster will make inquiries with re-
gard to the most approved type of
bonds: Davis will investigate the
special assessment laws with regard to
roads in other states. The meeting re-
suited in general discussion of a
general plan for complete system of
state highways. The plan generally
favored is to divide the state into dis
tricts. To begin with the roads lead
ing to market centers rather than with
trunk line trans state highways. I'm
this work" Mr.. Norris assured the
commission. I'VE have been assured the
assistance of the state highway COM
mission and the cooperation of the
Greater Iowa Association and other
organizations interested in state.
face material Will be determined by
the territory. In districts where gravel
is abundant and available it will be
used. SO also as to cement and clay
In the south where clay Is available il
is baked in kilns for surfacing and it
has been found satisfactory. Road
material viii be located by the state
geological survey and the state high
wa Ice
ment will be asked to furnish lists of
ties of the state: also auto revenue
licenses. These will be used as basis
for computing the estimated increase
of taxable property for a period Of
from ten to thirty years.
Governor Clarke on his return to Des
Moines from Waterloo where he had
addressed the Dairy Congress ex-
pressed himself as well pleased with
the first meeting of the better roads
commission. He approved the local
option plan of the commission saying
that the people of each locality should
determine the kind OF hard surfaced
roads to be built just as they determine
the kind Of school buildings and other
public improvements The work of
the DelleE TOdCS CUIiIiissSStcH, SAN
the governor, will result in greatly
increased interest in good roads in
Iowa. The commission will study the
road question and report on what ma
terial is best adapted to use in Iowa
in the improvement of the highways
1t will also learn how the peoples
money should be spent to get the best
results. We want no waste in road
building. The state should get dollar
for dollar in benefits from the expendi-
lures on the highways. l believe the
commission is getting started in the
right way. I can endorse the local
option plan Of road building for I be-
lieve that it is the best system that
Iowa can follow"
Those who might have been pessi-
mistic on the appointment Of the COM
mission will learn to have faith in it.
1t is composed of practical men: men
who are not likely to be extravagant
in their ideas as to what should con-
stitute better roads, nor in the use of
the public funds. The mind of the
commission is on facts. and facts will
be ascertained from whatever source
necessary.
There is no question but Iowa is on
the road to better roads and future
years will prove the efficacy Of the
commission.