American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-05-27
STATES THAT BUILD ROADS.

Three years ago l was appointed a delegate to
a state gathering of men interested in the i'm
provement of our highways. Some 300 of us got
together. Every man was adorned with a flaming
badge and a prepared speech, but hardly one of us
knew anything practical about the matters we
were to discuss. / was to advance the interests of
my own county. l was to set forth in clarion tone
our scenic and agricultural advantages. For the
rest l was to round out each period with the state
ment: What we need is good roads" Every 9TH
er man bore similar instructions.
When it came down to brass tacks there were as
many shadowy opinions as there were substantial
highways. City men wanted highways connect
ing city with city-really extended boulevards for
the pleasure of a%utoists. Country merchants
wanted branches from these highways leading to
their stores. Farmers wanted passable roads
from their farms to town and from one farm to an
other. We all had wants but We did not know how
to have them supplied. At length up rose Warden
lyman of the Colorado State Penitentiary, whose
road work with convicts is known the country over.
What we need" he said, lis perfect coopera-
ton between the State Highway commissioners
and the commissioners of the several counties. We
have a commission that is supposed to have charge
of all the road building within the borders of the
state. But IL is handicapped because of lack of
funds and by reason of the independence and some
times the opposition of county officials. We need,
first of all, unity of understanding and effort. We
need uniformity of roads. In one county you will
see only dirt roads, in another macadam, in still
another gravel and crushed rock. Some roads are
twenty feet wide and some forty. Some are merely
widened COW paths, and some are deserving of the
name of highways.
Let us petition the legislature for a state com
mission with power to take full charge. Let us see
to 1t that a competent engineer is appointed to
give uniformity to the road system. Let contract
ors be asked to put in bids so that the taxpayers
will know they are receiving full value for their
money. On every mile of road in the state let us
have clear specifications set down SO that CON
tractors will know what they are bidding on. And
let us devise some means by which the state shall
help finance the work in harmony with the coun-
ties so that the task may be done to a finish with
out break and without change of policy. Let us
crystalize our sentiments In a clear set of resolu-
tons, to be handed to the legislature, so that body
may know just what to expect and even demand
for the good and permanent prosperity OF our
state"
The legislature heard from us and needed our sug-
gestions. A beginning OF uniformity in road build
ing has already come to pass and cooperation is
reaping results. AS yet funds are inadequate, but
measures are now progressing to secure them.
One plan is to issue $40, 900, 900 in bonds for this
purpose, the bonds to bear five per cent interest
and to run for fifty years. Another plan is to levy
upon the state a tax OF half a mill which would
turn over to the highway commission about $685.
900 a year. The farmers of the state are to choose
between the plans. Public sentiment has taken
form and the powers that b. know that Il must be
needed. Best of all, the counties are organized,
and he Is a back number farmer who does not
take part.
The point is that bodies OF men must get together
in every state, acquire clear ideas of what is want
ed and then go directly about getting H. This was
done in New Jersey in 1891. 1t was done in Massa-
chusetts in 1892. 1t was done in Connecticut In
1895 and In New York in 1898. All these states
have put up money and are putting 1t up to make
of their roads systems In which their citizens may
take pride. Some other states-Iowa, Kansas.
Missouri, North Carolina and Wisconsin-have
state highway commissions for investigation and
supervisor OF work done. rendering little help
otherwise Illinois maintains a rock crushing