Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-05-04
lnrImlpAr,Mo LEGISLATORS.

UW1UWuO0VUUO S&0u0SAUOU0.
Some of the Des Moines
boosters" are trying to get the
political scalps of those who
would not line up with the capitol
park graft = and they are con-
Quoting their operations under
false pretenses.
The Greater Des Moines COM
mittee and the so-called Greater
Iowa association have marked a
number of Legislators for slaugh-
ter on the claim that they are
not fright" on the question of
better highways. It so happens
that there is no one in either Of
these associations who has estab-
lished a reputation as a highway
expert, and if this was the real
cause of action there might be
somc question about the suffi-
cheney of the verdict.
Ralph Bolton, secretary of the
Des Moines committee, recently
visited the newspaper offices in
Harrison county in an effort to get
these publications to back his
fight against the denomination
and recollection Of NJ. p. Pitt, Har-
rison county representative in the
state legislature. Mr.. Bolton
based his case on Representative
Pitts support Of the Johnson in
surgent highway bill, but it is
quite safe to assume that the Dcs
Moines feeling is somewhat in
tensified by Mr.. Pitts courageous
fight on the capitol park graft and
the success of Mr.. Pitt and his
associates in rescuing about ST.
100000 Of the states money on
that project through establish
ment limitations.
These paternalistic Des Moines
associations either know very lit
tie of actual highway problems,
or they have fish to fry" in car
rying the assumption that the
johnson bin was a backward
step" on road building. II was
nothing of the kind. II trans
ferrcd the state supervision from
the political highway commission,
not one member Of which has any
special knowledge of road build
ing, to the state engineer. That
would have been a sensible ar
rangement made in the interest
Of efficiency.
M. B. Pitt, who is rlasscd as a
"mossback" by the Des Moines
associations, probably has super
vised the construction of more
highways than all of the men in
these two CARNATIONS. He is
q student of road building and
thoroughly progressive, but it not
carried off his feet every time
some flighty enthusiastic city
man waves a slogan.
The Strengthening program un-
derta!.cn at Des Moines needs very
careful analysis in the counties
which may be involved. It should
not be allowed to deprive the
state of the services of the COM
.baratively few men who have
shown independence and courage
IN thought and action.
When a man or organization
styling himself or itself boost
Or" presents suggestion that
rs worthy Of consideration the
suggestion is very apt to COM
mend itself sufficiently, but it is
within the observation of most
people that many boosters are
Impractical. No legislator should
take orders from such men or
such organizations. He should
consider every proposition on its
merits. In these times many Of
lenses are committed in the name
OF boosting.
1t is suggested to the Tribune
IN connection with this campaign
against the members of the leg
.lslature who did not vote to suit
Des Moines boosters" on the
road question, that there is really
an additional motive. 1t is said
:shat one Of the special purposes
VI this especially financed cam
sraign for acquiescent members of
Ahe legislature is to secure the
4eiection of a sufficient number
s0f men to reimburse advertisers
who subscribed $4,000 for dis
Dlay purposes at the San Fran.
tsisco exposition. 1t should be re-
nembered in this connection that