The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-04-08
STATE TO FURNISH ENGINEERS
Governor Holds Closer Relations and
Better Relations Should be Estab-
nshed Between the State Highway
Commission and Local Committees.

Governor E. i. Philip yesterday
told the assembly committee on state
affairs that the legislature should not
appropriate in excess of 100000 for
the purpose of state aid in road build
ing. This message was delivered to
the committee by Michael Cleary, state
claim agent and legal adviser to the
governor. The committee had under
consideration the Woodward bill to cut
the appropriation to 100000 and
measures to abolish the state highway
commission and give the power to a
county commission.
II am directed by the governor to
make statement for him to your COM
mittee on the subject Of state partici-
patton in highway building said Mr..
Cleary in appearing before the commit
tee. In the first place there is an I'M
mistakable demand on the part of the
people for retrenchment in government
tai expenses and a reduction In tax
burdens. As a general proposition it is
our duty as servants Of the people to
heed the public demand This is es-
pecially true at this time when indus
try and financial conditions are what
they are today.
I'm order to accomplish this we must
save even in lines Of state activity
that are useful and commendable in
their purposes. The governor does not
wish to infringe upon the province Of
the legislature but he wishes to- say
that if, in the Judgment Of the legisla-
sum appropriated for that purpose
should not exceed the sum Of $780, 600 a
year. 1t is his opinion at this time
that he should not approve an appro-
priation exceeding this sum.
Further, the governor is of the
opinion that the state, through its en-
cheering department, if such d depart
ment is created as now proposed, and if
not through the state highway engineer,
should furnish to the counties the en-
cheering service required in road
building; that the state through this
department should have such control
over the building Of roads as will re-
quire uniformity in their construction
"That the questions of when to
build, where to build, the kind of ma
terial to be used in road making and
the question as to whether the building
shall be done by contract or otherwise
should be in the hands Of properly con-
stituted county authorities to determine
HThat it is highly important that
ample provision be made for the main
tenance of highways after they are
built. Further, that the law should
make such provision as will invite and
bring about greater activity in the
grading and draining Of highways.
This method Of road making is the least
expensive and in many communities
of the state will make good serviceable
roads.
The governor is also Of the opinion
that the state highway commission can
be dispensed with without any ma
terial detriment to the service; that the
duties and functions of this commission
be transferred to and imposed upon the
branch Of the state service having
charge Of the engineering features of
highway building I,
Assenblyman Woodward argued in
favor Of the retention Of the highway.
commission, but said that the powers
should be greatly curtailed and much
Of this power should be exercised BY
the county board. A. R. Hirst and
Chairman John A, Hazlewood of the
state highway commission, appeared
before the commission and explained
the different features of the bill and
the effect these measures would have