Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-14
w. a. HASKELL MAKES PRAcTi.
GAL OBSERVATIONS ON CALI
roRNlA AND IOWA.
PAVED ROADS HAVE
MADE coAsrscouNTRY
Haskell Says Improved Highways 10
Answer to CALIFORNIA; Growth and
Prospsrity-Has Auto Law Worth
Pattsrnins After-spIsndid Place
For Retired Wealthy Men.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times-Republican.
Cedar Rapids. April 14-W. G. Has
kell, postmaster Of Cedar Rapids prior
to the country's change to democracy
coal merchant, banker. former president
of the local commercial club and all
around booster for Iowa, is home from
an extended visit to the Pacific coast.
Mr.. Haskell gives credit for one thing
good roads-to California, and for
everything else to Iowa.
Being fully recovered from the ef-
fects Of the trip, Mr.. Haskell efuci-
dated on the various phases of Cali
fornia as follows:
while I have, in the last twelve
years visited California some seven
times and have learned by observa-
ton and inquiry some of its ups and
downs, I must admit that to me 1t Is
still conundrum and applaud the
energy and nerve Of its builders. 1t
is a paradise for the rich and those OF
means who admit their days of USE
fulness are past, but it is no place for
the man with the world before him
who has dreams Of compensation and
for the future welfare Of his family.
A man of some means, who is in
clined to agricultural labor. can Sc
cure small ranch and eat three
meals day, enjoy the sunshine, cli-
mate and pure air. watch the tourists
rush in automobiles by his door-but
he will never get rich nor add any in
crease in acreage to his holdings as
Iowa farmers do.
California Roads.
1ad shipped my auto to the coast.
= vance OF my coming, prepared to
California as it should and can only
~ seen. During my stay surely took
advantage Of its use, for ran probably
5000 miles, and not a foot of the way
off Of paved streets and permanently
built highways. The streets Of the city
are built principally from asphalt, while
the boulevards and highways turnout
the country districts are bitnlithic,
tarvia and composition Of asphalt
mixed with ground flint, but they are
now building some of their most i'm
portant highways, which are subject
to heavy traffic, Of cement concrete.
"One can form some idea of what
California has done in the interests Of
good roads when you realize that in
Los Angeles county alone they have
built 800 miles Of permanent roadway.
And the end is not yet For road build
Ing Of materials. already mentioned can
be noticed In every direction you go
turnout the state Cities, counties and
the state have bonded themselves for
lIlaom 6f dollax1 Tor read improve
ment, ana the papers carry daily some
tale Of new bonds to be issued for adj
ditional road improvements.
Compare this with the record Of
iowa IL you will. Is 1t any wonder the
boys Of the state leave the farm? II
Iowa had permanent roads and the
farmers were thus enabled to get to
market more than eight months out Of
the twelve, would see during my life
time every foot Of Iowa soil valued at
$500 per acre and none Of it advertised
for sale. And where there is one farm
IN the state today there would be five,
cities would grow. towns and commun-
tiles enlarge and prosper and we would
live and get rich within our own bor-
ders.
.If you wonder what has made Cali
fornia and what is keeping up the
state, good roads is the answer. Its
few acres of tillable soil have advanced
in price, the producer living in the
country has the advantage of markets
from ten to fifty miles distant and the
merchant, the clerk. and the laborer
are moi. dependent upon the street cars
nor compelled to live within walking
distance OF business. for the Ford. the
motorcycle and the jitney are all pass
ing by his door. There are over 10000
auto licenses In Los Angeles county
alone, and with this means Of constant
communication cities. towns, villages
and communities are so Joined together