Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-15
URGES CONCRETE
OR BRICK ROADS
Chairman OF Agricultural Commission
of State Bankers Gives Advice
to Counties.
PERMANENCY HIS ARGUMENT
Helds Proper Procedure Is by Bond
Issue to Raise Money Needed
for Improvements.

Champaign, Ill. Jan. 12.-Editor
Argus: A good many bankers and
farmers from various sections, know
ing our efforts in behalf of a better
agriculture and rural life, have writ
ten for our views with reference to
a permanent road system-what these
roads should be, how financed, etc.
In several instances we have re-
piled at length, and as the subject is
OF such paramount interest We are
taking the liberty of enclosing you
substantially a verbatim copy Of a
personal reply we recently made, to-
gether with newspaper clipping of an
authoritative letter on oiled roads
from CaIifornia's highway engineer.
AS California has had the largest
experience in the matter Of oiled
roads, Mr.. Fletcher's statement is
worth most careful consideration.
l send you this IN a spirit of service
and constructive citizenship with
which I hope we may all be more
largely actuated in this new year
which I hope will bring you abundant
health and blessings. l am,
Sincerely yours,
B. F. HARRIS.
The biggest single issue before the
people of Illinois today is good roads;
biggest not alone of itself, but big
gest because the prompt and salts
factory solution of permanent road
system in this state will help to solve
half dozen fundamental problems
and indirectly affect for good, as well
as in dollars and cents, almost every
phase of farm, social and industrial
life in the state.
We cannot expect to have real
system of roads unless it is based on
large units, and this is best accom-
plished by accepting the county and
state basis with a few experienced
and responsible men in charge in each
case. We must have roads that begin
and end somewhere. A number of
counties in this state are already con-
sidering the building of primary roads
so that this generation may have the
benefit Of them.
Many of the counties in Illinois are
presenting to the taxpayers the ques-
ton of bond issue for the improve
ment Of their highways. Some have
already voted for bonds and still 9TH
ers will shortly start similar pro-
ceedings. Before any county votes on
a bond issue for this purpose, the
taxpayers Of the county should be
thoroughly familiar with what is in
VOWED in the question
On Business Basis.
The bond issue for public improve
ment should be governed by the same
considerations which govern a bond
issue byf any business organization.
When a manufacturing concern is
sues bonds, the money raised is plac-
ed in permanent improvements in the
plant which will last far beyond the
life Of the bonds, or else no investor
would purchase the securities Bonds
for municipal purposes or for public
improvements are not always subject
ed to this acid test, and instances are
numerous in this country where bonds
for 20 yesrs have been issued for the
construction Of public roads, where
the type of roads built with the pro-
ceeds of the bond issue could not pos
sibly last more than 10 years, and
even then expensive maintenance is
continually necessary. In many in
stances history shows that during the
life of such a bond issue the original
road has been worn out and rebuilt
with different material, and with
the proceeds Of subsequent bond is
sues as many as three times, and still
.the original bonds are a liability on
the community.
When an individual pays out his liv-
ing or expense money or a community