Evening star., 1916-01-09
BORLAND MAKES
GOOD ROADS PLEA
Urges Better Highways in Ad-
dress Before the Mis-
souri, Society.
FEDERAL AND STATE AID
NEED OF THE MOMENT
Proposes System Similar to French
Plan of Community and Sec
tional Building.

An argument for state and federal
constructed good roads for the develop
ment of rural sections and as the en-
titlement of the agricultural producers
of the wealth of the nation was pre-
sented by Representative Borland of
Kansas City. Mo, member of the ap-
preparations committee of the House
of Representatives.. addressing the
Missouri Society last night at its jan
uary meeting, held at Rauscher's.
Representative Borland spoke extem-
poraneously and generally to the sub
ject of the possible development of the
state of Missouri
Good roads are the only institution
to bring back the wealth they produce
to the agricultural districts" he said.
"All else brings blight to the farm"
Representative Borland outlined his
economic thought that the city's wealth
is all produced by the country; yet the
country loses entirely the tax value of
what it produces, because it is not
wealth until it gets into the city.
Cities Are the Beneficiaries.
AS the cities of the state are bene-
ficiaries of the wealth producing pow
ers of the rural section, he argued, it is
proper for the state to build good roads
out of state taxes. AS New York and
other big national centers benefit from
the wealth producing of the farmers of
the nation. he considered it proper that
road building should be a federal con-
Germ.
He proposed similar system to the
French plan of national. sectional and
community roads, each class of road to
be constructed and maintained on fix
ed basis of utility. He ridiculed the idea
of "spider-leg" roads leading to rail-
ing if he were a railroad man it prob
ably would be the plan he would favor
as in the interest of the railroad. He
advocated roads leading somewhere
to the big centers.
Another theme considered by Represent
ative Borland. was that of river protec-
ton against floods by federal aid. He
pointed out that there are 100000 acres
in Missouri and probably ten or eleven
million acres in the affluvial states that
because of annual floods The entire dis
trict reclaimed to agricultural purposes
by irrigation projects, he insisted, does
not compare with this area.
Methods of Reclamation.
1T should be understood that more land
is to be redeemed by taking water off
than by putting water on" was his epi-
gramatic epitome.
A resolution, offered by Representa-
tive James T. Lloyd, expressed regret
for the death of C. A. Knapp, late
editor of the ST. Louis Republican: sym
pathy for his family, and extolled the
accomplishments and personal char
acter of the deceased
Assistant Postmaster General Dock
cry called attention to the fact that
yesterday was Jackson day and the
l01st anniversary of the battle of
New Orleans. He considered that
event significant to the history of
Missouri.
Talbot Pulizzi and Miss Frances Pu-
lizzi presented a playlet, entitled "The
Nettle" Miss Hazel Compton played a
piano solo. Mi.s Edna Scott Smith
sang several soprano songs. Mrs. Edna
Bishop Daniel also sang soprano solos.
Mrs. William c. Stierlin was the piano
accompanist of the singers.