The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-06
Trial on Proposed Highway
LeavenWorth to Fort Riley.
Government Authorizes Guards
to Watch Prisoners.
RAILROADS WERE ONCE BUILT
Why Cannot Counties Issue
Bonds for Roads Now?
Congressman Anthony Speaks
Before Wakarusa Boosters.


Leavenworth will be the first to aid
in making the Fort Leavenworth
terminus of the Fort Leavenworth-
Fort Riley military road a reality, ac-
cording to a statement made today by
Congressman D. r. Anthony, jr., in a
speech delivered to the good roads
boosters at Wakarusa. Topeka, Shaw
nee county and other counties lying
in the district that would be benefited
by hard surface road between Fort
Leavenworth and Fort Riley should
not be contented with the convict
work which will be slow and will
start at the Fort Leavenworth end of
the highway. the First district con-
gresham stated.
THE funds allotted to the state of
Kansas under the recent federal good
roads act should be urged by the bene
fitted counties for in building this
road said Mr.. Anthony. And, fur
ther the action of State Engineer
Gearhart in giving this idea his ap-
proval will unquestionably be indorsed
by the people of Kansas.
Orders More Guards.
Mr. Anthony told of an eight-year
fight made in Washington for the
realization of his dream to build
highway between the biggest infantry
fort in the United States and the big
gest cavalry fort in the country.
"And now it begins to take on a
realistic tinge,'' said Mr.. Anthony.
1.-The department of justice has only
this month increased the number of
guards at the federal prison at Leav
enworth by ten in order to permit the
working of a force of men in the con-
structior of hard surfaced roads at
the east end of the line which will
form the eastern terminal OF the pro-
posed Fort Leavenworth-Fort Riley
road
Recommends Bond Issue.
Continuing, Mr.. Anthony urged that
concrete construction be used in build
inf future roads in Kansas and recon-
mended n half a m:llion-do ollar bond
| issue for the construction of concrete
roads in Shawnee county running out
of Topeka.
IF any Kansas county embark on
a program of substantial road i'm
provement there is no middle ground
to take said Mr.. Anthony. From
my observations and travels in other
states L am convinced that the only
permanent and practical method of
| improving our country roads is the
adoption of a system of concrete con-
| Struction- Every county in eastern
Kansas should have a complete sys-
| tenn of concrete roads radiating from
| the principal city or county seat Such
roads should be constructed of not
\ less than six inches of the best con-
| crete on a prepared foundation of not
| less than twelve feet in width. They
will cost from $4,000 to $4,000 a
mile but will last quarter of CEN
tury.
| A Reception Tonight.
| "In early days many Kansas coun-
| ties bonded themselves heavily for the
| construction of branch railroads. some
| of them of doubtful value. Today the
! best expenditure that Shawnee county
| could make would be a bond issue of
! a half million dollars for the construc-
| tion of a system of concrete roads
running from Topeka to the smaller
| towns and communities of the
| county,
| Mr.. Anthony accompanied the coun-
| ty candidates to Wakarusa today and
a number of them took off their coats
I and loaded dirt and rock on the
| wagons. From Wakarusa Mr.. Anthony
and the county candidates went to
| Berryton, where Mr.. Anthony spoke
at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. A fair
is in progress at Berryton. A recep-
| ton for Mr.. Anthony will be held at
| the National hotel tonight Everyone
| is invited
Still Work on Road.
| The enthusiasm Of the good roads
boosters didn't diminish a whit this
| morning and dozens of automobile
loads drove out to the big hill, near
| A hard days work faces them to cut
| down the hill by nightfa1 and if the
| work isn't completed then the good
| roads men will go out again tomorrow
and complete the job. After the hill
| is reduced the Topeka avenue road
| connecting Topeka with the Santa Fe
trail will be as nearly perfect as a