The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1915-03-11
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I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. !
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The Johnsnn Bill.

Wilson, and | herewith enclose 4
synopsis of it with the most vital
points showing comments for the in.
formation of those who are in favor
of good roads and who want the ex-
penditure of public money properly
audited and not spent secretly and
sometimes dishonesty.
Right here it is well to bear in mind
that when one law is written to SUI
persede another and is written in al
most the identical language of the
original law the incidental changes
become of the utmost Importance"
With this thought in mind go over
the synopsis given below which is
supposedly simple bill for the pur-
pose of doing away with the highway
commission, but in reality is the care
fully laid plans to go back to the old
order of things where the voter paid
his taxes in full, but never could see
where a quarter of it was spent, espe
pecially that intended for roads.
These are the important points of
the Johnston bill, House File 1884,
Sections 1-2-3-4-5-6. Abolish the
present state highway commission
and substitute state engineer with.
out authority or financial appropria.
ton to carry on his duties.
Sections rs. Recognize all present
road records, plans, and profiles filed
under the present law.
Sections 9-10. Place full control Of
county road system in the hands Of
the board of supervisors with the au-
thority to add up to 10 per cent of the
township roads to this system each
year.
Note:-This would destroy one of
the best principles of the present law
and would allow the integrity of the
county road system to be broken up
by the addition of by-roads under
political pressure.
Sections 1112-13. Make optional
with the board of supervisors the en-
ployment of a county engineer and
also provides for the board of super
visors to make their own bridge plans
and pass on their own work
Section II. Provides that all cul-
verts should be constructed by the
county.
Sections AIS. Relate to culverts
and bridges.
Section Is. Is apparently drafted
along the same lines as the present
road law and provides that bridge and
culvert construction estimated to cost
more than $1,000 shall be advertised
and let at a public letting, provided
that the board may reject all bids
and readvertise or let privately or
build by day labor.
Note:-This is the carefully con-
cealed plan to do away with the pres
ent method to force the spending of
the public's money in the open and
to substitute the old system of pri-
vate contracts verbal agreements,
and all the other Objectionable prac-
tees that were found to prevail in
many counties before the present law
was passed. This is the most vicious
proposition of the whole bill and 1t Is
the real milk in the cocoanut" with
the ones who are working for its pas
sage, as it opens up the way to jugglp
the taxpayers money
Section 49, Relates to the payment
CT bills. This is also apparently
drawn along the lines of the present
law, but provides that the county en-.
gineers shall approve only the bills
for work done under his supervision,
but the board of supervisors has full
authority net to employ an engineer.
Note:-This leaves the expenditure
of the taxpayers money in the hands
of the board without single restric-
tiOn as to how wisely it is spent.
Sections 1883. Provide for the
use of county road funds on the coun-
ty system and a township road fund
on the township system, and provides
that in place of the one superinten.I
dent for each township as the law
now provides that any number of
township superintendent may be en-
ployed. These sections also provide
for the road dragging of the county
and township in a similar manner to
the present law.
Section 20. Provides that no ehgi-
ncer or other official may be inter
ested in road contracts.
Note;-Same provision now exist
ing. .-.
Section 81. Provides for township
clerks report and report of county
supervisors in place of county eng'-
neer reporting to the highway COM
mission. ,.- So
Note: board of supervisors
would be making out their report and
handing it to themselves for approval.
Would it be approved?
Section %. Provides the same pow
er for removing distractions as now
exists.
Section %. Provides for contrac-I
tors bonds as now exists.
Section "a. Provides for optional
levy of two mills for county road
building fund
Sections. to 80. Provide for the
registration of highway marks sim
liar to that method now in use.
Sections 33 to a. General repeal
and publication clause.
Now what strikes one in touch with
the whole raid on the taxpayers mon
ey is, Why are these few gentlemen
working so hard to get this bill
through and, why have they endeav-
ored to follow the present wording of
an honest law unless there is some
underlying motive?
Let any man who attempts to de-
fend this bill explain why the phrase
at cost not to exceed the engineers
or supervisors estimated cost was
put In for work under 81 200 and was
left out for work exceeding $1,000"
Respectfully,
n p MpCIURE