The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-21
Addresses and Stunts Add to
Spirit Of Gatherings.
365-DlY HIGHWAYS IN KANSAS
Joseph L. Long of Des MOfnes
Spoke ON Road Making.
Many Visitors Attend Banquet
y and ssPep" Rally.


meeting in the history of the Topeka
Automobile association. which was
characterized by addresses OF both
practical and humorous nature, was
Wednesday evening. Addresses by
Joseph L. Long of Des Moines, Charles
Sessions, T. A. McNeal, Fred Nipps,
George w. Stansfield and H. S. Put
ney, president of the Auto club, FOL
lowed a o'clock dinner.
Mr.. Long, who is editor or the
Road Maker, and pleasing speaker,
said that three important elements in
road building are: illumination OF
waste, elimination of lost motion. and
getting a check on the funds. From
both q business and social standpoint
ne advocated the building of 365-day
roads in Kansas; that is, roads that
can be used every day in the year. He
was positive that the government will
take action relative to the construction
OF highways, but the great question
is how to go about it. His plan was
to let the government become super
vising partner in the construction of
roads. IT would give so much money
per mile for roads reaching certain
Standards" said the speaker. IF the
government pays a reward per mile
you'll have a condition that will pro-
duce economy. You will have uni
formity in standard roads"
shouldn't Play Santa Claus.
Mr.. Long did not approve of the plan
of building framework OF government
smaller roads When the government
begins to play Santa Claus the road
system will include every congressional
district in the United States" Mr..
Long is an impressive speaker. who
drives home his points by the means OF
clever stories.
Charles Mitchell was POSTMASTER at
the meeting. which was attended by
several state officials and numerous
-v-k
the special guests Of the club. Frank
Pratt and a delegation of road enthusi-
asts from Wakarusa were here. c. A.
Moore led in the singing of a song, the
words Of which were arranged for the
occasion. A group of vocalists were
ready at all times to bring in bits of
gong when speakers would arise to their
feet and start to crate. This was a
feature that gave the meeting life.
Robert Stone read a telegram of
humorous nature which supposedly
came from John D."
Opposed to Commissions.
Charles Sessions expressed himself as
being radically opposed to a commits
sion for handling the roads situation in
Kansas: at least until through a con-
stitutional- amendment it is possible for
the state to engage in highway opera
tions.
1T has been suggested by some that
we should create a highway commits
it," said he. Under the constitution
Kansas cannot engage in road building.
Personally. I wish it could. But it
can't. And until the constitution is
changed, am opposed to statewide
highway commission. When the state
can build roads ITSELF or aid in their
construction. then will be time for
statewide commission.
% This is not a propitiOus year for the
creation of new commissions by the
legislature. 1t is my individual Opin-
ion that some present commissions may
be wiped out, but no new ones created
AS long as the constitution places road
work under the county boards they
should not be handicapped with bosses.
except the people who elect them. HUI
man nature is human nature the world
oyer. And an official, whose duty Is
marked out by the constitution, re-
sents being bossed by another official,
who can't do the work. but only boss.
1t rankles.
IF the legislature. in it's wisdom.
sees fit not to let the surplus be pro
rated back to the counties at the end
of the fiscal year, it might provide
that it be used for state engineer,
not to boss nor harass county Off
Gals, but to cooperate with them in
laying out and building roads and
planning bridges. But mind you, I
say cooperate. 1t is not material
whether the engineer and his force be
attached to the Agricultural college or
the secretary of states office.
State Official Saves Money?
1.-The college professors will say put
it at the university or college by all
means. They seem to think the people
get more for their money when a COL
lege or university handles things. In
ali due difference to these most esti-
mable gentlemen l beg to say, after
years of close observation, both as a
newspaper man and public official.
that a state official who must face the
taxpayers every two years and depend
upon their votes. is more inclined to
try and save money for the taxpayers
than the college professor. who is not
so easily reached by the people in case
of extravaganza. But where the state
detail. II the present arrangement.
where the highway engineer is paid
out OF the agricultural funds. is
deemed adequate and satisfactory,
then the surplus can be pro rated back
to the counties. and used on the roads.
II would suggest. however that
whatever changes are made that they
\ done through supplemental law
and that in that supplemental law
provision be made for a special auto
mobile fund TIC maintain both county
and township roads"
Shawnee Road Work.
-. Fred Nipps, county commissioner
sgave a clear outline of the work fol
;good roads being done IN Shawnee
: scounty. 'In the final analysis" HI
said, cit may be seen that each veal
"a few miles of gravel is added to thu
.gravel road mileage, several miles tt
the dirt road construction, and ole
bridges replaced with new and per
,manent concrete structures.
IT am optimistic as to what is il
tstore for Shawnee county, for I cal
:see ahead as good roads and bridge
las any county in the state and thi
- A. H. = - 49,
levy over what it IL at the presen
time
Work of Auto Club.
H. s. Putney. president of the To