Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-17
THREE OF A KIND.

So far as the three leading candl-
dates for governor are concerned, Co.'S
son. Allen and Harding, the road issue
should be taken out Of politics. They
are all for the same thing: that Is they
have all declared for the same thing in
their road platforms as published by
the Iowa Farmer.
All three are for good roads and all
three are for hard roads. just as hard
as the people of any locality want
Harding gives three essentials as be-
ing drainage, grading and then says
tina, the third is ITO get some surface
ing more permanent than dirt" He
cites gravel for some, oil for others and
there are no doubt other materials
within reach Of the pocketbook"
Allen believes in the system Of "all-
the-year-round roads"
Cosson says he believes in good
roads which can be travelled 3sS days
in the year" and says that Without
question surfaced roads may be had
with but little or no increase in taxa
ton II the proper plan OF financing
them is adopted
AS to financing all three candidates
for governor are in favor Of bonds so
as to distribute the cost over more
than one years tax levies.
Harding says that:
Everything possible should be done
to make for permanency and lasting
results for the money expended. If
there are to be higher taxes or bond
issues they should come only after they
have been voted by the people who
must pay"
Alien says that:
The state should create a state road
fund by issuing and selling state bonds
1t about 3 per cent. Road districts
:ould issue bonds to the state at per
,ent and the difference in interest
:ould be used to retire the bonds"
Cosson declares that:
Il believe the people are entitled on
referendum TO the privilege Of
inancing road Improvements according
o the most economical and best bust
.ess methods. II variety of public
provision is made for
the cost over q period of
Tine so that the tax burden will not be
heavy in any one year
All three believe in local option and
referendum.
Cosson says:
Z believe local communities should
lave the right TO decide both the char
Lcter Of the road and the method Of
Allen says:
7 believe that the locality itself
hould determine the time. the place
nd the materials to be used according
0 the varying financial and engineer
ag needs"
Harding says:
Road building IS community prob
en-. Progress will be most rapid when
he burden Of initiative Is placed on
he community"
AS to state aid or state control Har-
ing comes nearer fayoring state aid
y direct appropriation attic all three
re nearly together on this part Of the
'rogram TOO.
Allen has in mind the special dis
riot similar TO drainage districts SO
anliiiar TO him in his own county, but
e would have the state loan its su
erior credit by obtaining money at 8
er cent and crediting the districts
With all the saving in interst. He ia
ors Encouraging rather than forcing
cad improvement"
Harding says that:
The state should assist the COM
nuniry but should not assume to die
ate nor TO control the expenditure of
he money that is raised by local taxa
ion"
Cosson says:
7 believe in putting emphasis upon
ocal servicea BILE roads leading to mar
:et towns rather than cross country
Dads, altho both in time will follow"
Neither Cosson nor Allen refer TO the
tate highway commission assuming
A4oL a. z S'.isS ~ oHi4A oii ~ " tAA
We have rather than to back step and
destroy what has been acocmplishe
nd even Harding admits that there
IRE many features Of the present sys-
.n that are al improvement over the
DID"
The road question should be taken
Tut Of politics. All three candidates
or governor say that they are for hard
-oads, just as hard as the people will
,ote TO ouiid. All three are in favor
II bonds IL the people of localities vote
or them. All agree that the state
should aid and assist but not force
nor control. Allen has a district plan
and state bonds. Cosson and Harding
are willing to leave details to the leg
stature, but they all declare for hard
-oads as fast as we vote them on to
ourselves. The road booster can now
size up his men, study their public rec
,rds and choose the one who can be
depended upon to get results.