Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-29
WILSON TALKS IN
BEHALF OF ROADS
. official Supports Highway I'M
~ .-o,ement Work in Address
Mems Club OF Moline.
= REGIMENT Is CONVINCING
.-.,.s How Children On Farms
' .re Benefited By Hard Roads.
vore Needed Than Libraries.

j rev argument l" lawn VI Haiu
one which should carry strong
"a., ~ the farmers, particularly
having children, whom they
=, give high school educations,
presented by James P. Wilson,
her of the Illinois highway COM
ian in his address last evening
-s,-s the Bluff Mems club of Moline.
! 80 for illustration splendid road
..a;tions in the vicinity of Polo,
s.-s with improved highways it is
'..;ble for children living from five
sight miles in the country to at
- high school in the city and re-
-, IN their homes each evening. the
..,tsr pointed out what it means to
:. tuture of the boys and girls to
..,d their evenings with their par
.,,.and at the same time get the same
.,r,s,ional advantages of the chill
,,en in the city.
Is the future of your sons and
cashiers worth anything?" asked
{, wilson. The boys and girls who
axe their places beside their mothers
,ni fathers in the evening until they
~ IS years old grow to be a credit
a sny community. and this is a strong
nIhng point in support of hard roads.
That better thing can you do for man,
ronan or child, whether by taxation
Ar donation, than to aid in building
armament highways? 1t is better
han building libraries and filling
item with trashlike fiction, which is
read by the young people"
Mr. Wilson declared that the build
irs of hard roads is a farmers propo-
stion The Tice bill is the only law
\ Illinois for the exclusive benefit of
he farmers. They have to pay but 40
Der cent of the tax and they get 100
cents benefit for every dollar they in
rest.
Time was, declared the speaker,
when there was a feeling of animosity
Existing between the farmer and the
diy man. This spirit, however, is fast
becoming a thing OF the past. People
IN the city are interested in hard
roads in the rural districts from a
philosophical standpoint, from a
community standpoint. Those in the
city depend on the farmers for much
Of their foodstuffs and 80 per cent of
the farm products must travel a long
way before it reaches mouths of the
consumer in the city.
BY lessening the cost of delivery to
The markets, 1t is lessening the cost
Of productions. Average distance a
tarmer has to travel to get his pro-
ducts to market is 312 miles. If the
oads are improved bigger loads may
be hauled in less time. and all this
means saving to the consumer. Time
petty jealousy is past and people
are learning that by helping their
laighbOrs they are benefting them
selves.
Where Has Money Gone!
When | realize that in 10 years the
road and bridge tax OF Rock Island
county has increased from $4,000 tc
$4,000 year, and that in a decade the
ftate of Illinois has spent $54 10000
iOf road and bridge purpose, with very
hitle Improvement with the exception
OF perhaps few new bridges being
Quilt, | wonder if the taxpayers think
Ney have received proper return fol
ne money expended. l do not mean tc
Illlclze anybody; they have done the
Oest they could under the circum.
Stances, but it is evident that there is
iaxlty somewhere along the line. AT,
lef 10 years with accomplishing prac-
ucaily nothing, | should think the
people Of this state would be willing
70 set aside or raise more money ant
julio a road that would endure a.
1ot oHe spring treShet.
committee appointed to investi.
SAFE road Improvements in the United
Sates made its report to the 4Sth gen
aai assembly showing that Illinois
'As second in amount expended fol
iVau Improvements and stood 23rd il
'oaa improvements. Is there any mar
''''sheo with that ranking whel
arms average $4,000 more in valu
ual those of any other state? Ohio i.
NV ahead Of this state in intelligence
'e' IL one county Of that state alone
Iefe are 400 miles of brick pavement
Travelled 10 miles outside of Cleve
-'hu IN an automobile and found bu
VHe mile Of dirt road, which was lat
siai connecting two hard surface
highways.
IN adopting the Tice bill, the state
s saa county went in partnership il
,uihg hard roads. By properly des
a'uhg the roads for improvement
uuer provisions of this measure some
~ =! mere will not be one farm in Iii
~. We more than four miles from hare
. YOU which will carry IS TO 80 pei
W. OF the traffic of the state.
mere is paid into the state treas
a., automobile taxes amounting t.
.'V'VVV year. OF this Cook county
s sss approximately 40 per cent. Yo,
H., ior the privilege of using thu
H"ays and the state makes tn,
- oaaues gift of the automobile ia,
-, improving these highways. Their,
Is e $4,000 miles Of road in Illinois anC
'''' Is to be state aid road.
Fer Capita Cost is Small.
sometimes difficult to convinc,
- Ian living way out in the country
ne will derive any benefit fror
"a A&a q 4 ELS ~ r. N