Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1916-04-12
LET THE BILL HELP HIGHWAYS TOO.

Nevada must construct public highways and have good roads; they
IRE the greatest need Of this state at tn present time and are the most
prosperous year and that prosperity will continue or many years to come.
But our public highways; how is their construction to be provided for and
who is to bear the expense OF the upkeep? We cannot expect to do it
by direct taxation, O by any great bond issue.
A constitutional amendment is tob be submitted to the people this fall
for approval o rejection to permit the borrowing power OF the state to
be increased from $30OOO to $l73oOW. This amendment may OF may
not carry; people are not in a mood just at present to increase the Dor
rowing opportunities of the state, rather they are inclined the other way;
besides, the amendment has not been thoroughly explained, nor is it likely
to be in the heat and hurry OF a senatorial campaign, for the people as 4
rule vote when they do moi understand IN amendment. In the event
OF its defeat, what then? The opportunity to provide funds for the on
struction of public highways and good roads has gone gmmerng. This
state nus have these improvements, but how al it best go about it TO
acquire some nucleus for a fund for those Improvements?
Senator Key Pittmans land grant bill has passed the senate and is
now in the house. 1t provides for the granting by the government OF
100000 acres OF land to the state OF Nevada for educational purposes
Why not advise II representative at Washington to amend the bill by
granting 100000 to the university Chat is all that institution asked for in
the first place. and 100000 acres to be sold for the benefit OF public high
ways in this state. In this suggestion there is no desire to attempt to take
away anything that will advance or promote the educational system OF
Nevada, but we submit that public highways and good roads are also a II
educational necessity and are entitled to governmental aid and support
The university and public school system of this state is perfectly safe, SO
far as income is concerned, without depending altogether o n what is an
nualy appropriated by the state. Very few states "a boast OF such a III
come. But we must have highways and good roads; the state is large and
sparsely settled and the burden of taxation would be too great to build
them at the expense OF the taxpayers, to say nothing of the yearly cost of
maintaining them. There ought not to be, there cannot be any objection
to a amendment to Senator Pittman's bill, setting aside 100000 acres
of land for the benefit OF the public highways for the state of Nevada.
Why can no: the public press take this matter up and interest all the peo-
pie % the extent of advising our representatives atW Washington that such
an amendment is desired. Let the Commercial club of Reno all the good
road clubs of the state take action, and pass resolutions to that effect The
Lincoln Highway association with its tremendous influence would no
doubt be glad OF the opportunity o aid in the good work. Now is the time
to act before the bill is fairly on its way to passage in the house Of repre-
sentanves. Strike out the auction clause; amend by granting 5UNGUU
acres of land to public highways and 100000 to the university, throw a
all pull together and make undivided, concentrated effort to pass the
bill.