Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-02-12
A MOST DANGEROUS BILL

House bill 502, substitute bill prepared by the house
committee Roads and Highways, establishing High
way Code for the state is dangerous bill. 1t provides
for raising addition to other road funds provided
about quarter Of million dollars which with the other
funds will be turned over to the highway commission ap
pointed by the governor and to be expended under its
direction assisted by state highway engineer to be ap
pointed by it. This commission has the power to decide
what highways shall be improved where the entire funds
shall be expended the kind Of materials to be used the
letting of contracts and absolute power as who shall
have those contracts This commission not only has the
whole state fund in charge but under the proposed
rangement would also have the management and ex-
penditure of the funds coming from the to
aid in road construction amounting this year to around
$400000
There are no safeguards thrown around the BILL but
the entire road funds Of the state placed in the
missions hands to do what it pleaSes with
In the section Of the bill providing for the expenditure
of the money! it is provided that in all improvements cost
ing than w. 000 1t shall select the material or KIND
of pavement it will use and advertise for bids for the
work 1t provides that the commissioners need not give
the contract to the lowest bidder if the bid is not salts
factory to them In other words with this power the
advertising might as we'll be dispensed with The
mission given free hand to play favortes and to reap
abundant rewards therefore, If it is inclined With the
expenditure of millions in its control the temptations that
commission will face will not be light We do not
mean say the commissioners will be dishonest but that
they will be subject to many inducements to be So Be-
sides under this b the governor and not the commits
son will have the absolute dicaton as to the kind OF
son or corporation that shall have the contracts. He will
have this power because he given the power Of removal
at his pleasure, and without other than his own
sweet will. He will dictate to everything if he so
chooses because if the commissioners do not perform his
bidding he them and name some one who will
The commission has the power of removal Of the state
highway engineer and he will have to recommend the
kind of paving or material they want which will be what
the governor wants. or he will have to get off the job Ii
commissioners like Yeon and Benson, of Portland are
appointed by the governor, the patent paving combine
would own the state at the end Of four years road build
ing under their direction.
No reputable engineer would want the job in the cir
cumstances No selfrespecting citizen would take the
lob Of commissioner at salary Of $500 year to be simply
the governors plaything
The bill would place the entire road building Of the
state in the hands of the governor What kind Of gov
ernor we will have after the prestnt one retres two
wears from now of course knows but the people
will not be satisfied to have all the affairs Of the state
placed in the hands of any governor and to place the
tire road building Of the state in the hands Of
strong and capable in whom the people have con-
fdence would not be good business proposea Senate
bin SOP Is by far the most dangerous introduced at
this session. 1t should be defeated