The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-01-26

with legislation providing for per-
manent roads, see no reason for any
extra burden being imposed upon men
who own automobiles" is a statement
made by state highway commissioner
Sidney Suggs in his biennial report to
the governor.
Il would like to see Oklahoma, the
pioneer state" continued the commits
sioner, "to recognize the fact that au-
tomobiles are necessities and not luXu-
ries, and blaze the way to the final ad-
judication of the present glaring dis
elimination against one citizen whose
only crime is that he has been COM
PEELED to invest in an expensive means
of transportation" -
The report then recommends an ade-
quate state license upon all vehicles
for the maintenance of state highways.
Special commentator is given to
those counties which abolished the
township system of caring for roads
and are using the county as a unit to
further road work. This policy has re-
suited in some very effective work
having been done, according to the re-
port as it saves in salaries paid and
provides for a concentration OF work
instead of useless scattering of it,
"Tip pridoaev BANNED
"Tin bridges which have been
strenuously fought by the present
commissioner and his staff are also
given hard rap. Nearly $S000,000,
says the report, have been spent on
bridges since statehood, most of which
has gone to a limited number of con
Germs, The charge is made that in
Oklahoma county one concern always
secured the contracts until fight was
started against them.
After concrete bridges entered the
bidding, practically not steel bridges
have been constructed in Oklahoma
county, as concrete has proved cheap
er to construct and far cheaper in up
keep. Depreciatio on steel bridges
is given at per cent per annum,
while concrete is practically ever
lasting and grows better with age.
The educational mile" project, that
was launched in Seminole county last
fall, is given the highest praise by the
report. Work worth $400 was done
by boys and girls of the schools in
one day and the value of the prece-
dent set is incalculable. The legisla-
ture is urged to make such provisions
as are necessary to establish a junior
department in this state in order that
the movement may be statewide this !
year
Federal Aid Treated
The likelihood of immediate federal
aid is taken up by the commissioners |
report The necessity OF action on the
part of the state to secure this aid is |
urged however, as the government
will make no appropriations unless
permanent work shall result. A road
improvement district law, which will !
not be declared unconstitutional by |
the courts, is urged to be adopted in
order that all communities may be in
position to accept federal aid when it |
is available.
Standard railway crossings, accord |
ing to plans perfected by the commits !
sion are also recommended to go hand |
in hand with the safety nrst' move
ments. These crossings provide for
an approach of per cent grade to the
tracks, and a level space fifteen feet
from each outside rail. These cross
ings have the approval of the corpora
ton commission and railway com4
panies
Convict labor is recommended by
Colonel Suggs. If such a law is to be
however, the report suggests
that the honor system be observed
and that the convicts be allowed a
daily wage for their efforts. Part of
this wage would be kept by the state
for the keep of the workers, and the
other part forwarded to their families
or be saved for them.
Two dollars a day is suggested as
the minimum wage, and it is further
that such a law should
contain provision to the effect that
should be allowed to wear
civilian clothes and work only in COM
where they are unknown.
Wants Supervisors.
Vigorous protest against counties
spending money secured by voting