The St. Joseph observer. [volume] (St. Joseph, Mo.) 1906-1932, 1917-01-13

nial period In addition to the receipts
from the institutions.
EIeemosynary Institutions.
recommend that the 10 boards to-
gether with their treasurers be abol-
ished for the following institutions:
The four state hospitals.
The State Confederate Home.
The State Federal Home.
Missouri School for the Deaf.
Missouri School for the Blind.
Colony for the Feeble Minded and
Epileptics.
Missouri State Sanitorlum.
suggest that these institutions be
put in charge of state board Of con-
troll of say three members, not over
two of whom shall belong to the same
political party. Such board would not
require any more expense than the
present boards and their local treas
urers. A large saving would come
from a concentration of the buying
for these institutions under one au-
thority.
But aside from the feature of econ
omy and more important than that
would be the increased efficiency In
these institutions. This board should
be given authority to employ all su-
perintendents and other employees on
the basis of efficiency. These in
stitutions should be removed entirely
from politics.
The legislature should consider the
advisability Of raising the allowances
for the sustenance of the delinquents
sent to these institutions to such fig
ures as will meet the extremely high
price of food. These people should
be furnished wholesome food and be
cared for in proper manner.
Permanent Roads.
The agitation for permanent roads
in this state has been continued so
long and has become so universal
that there is now a demand that defi-
mite steps be taken for building a
system of state highways. The nee,
essary legislation can be enacted
within 80 days.
Everyone favors this needed i'm
provement for our state and realizes
that we are far behind our progres.
slve sister states. Our present sys'
tenn of control Is unsatisfactory and
obsolete. The progressive states
have all created a state highway COM
mission, and have given to the state
large powers Of control over state
highways. And in return for these
measures of control the states have
contributed literally to the construc
tion OF roads.
Our present inadequate road laws
are largely responsible for our lack
OF road building.
favor the creation OF a state high
way commission composed OF -four
members, two OF which shall be
chosen from each of the leading polit
, ical parties This commission should
serve without compensation, except
, travelling and other expenses while
the commission is in session. High
| class men with patriotic motives car
! be secured to serve on such com
mission. Missouri has a host o
roadminded, liberal spirited mer
cause, and who are willing to give
! such measure OF services as is re
quired OF them without compensation
This commission should be giveI
broad powers, including authority tC
select a state highway engineer anC
to pay such salary as would guarantee
: a man OF high attainments and sue
cessful experience. His term OF OF
I flee should be during the pleasure o
= the board. and his compensation
: should be fixed by 1t,
Politics should not enter into roa(
: work, and the law should be accord
ingly drawn.
r Our roads should be constructed b,
Joint participation Of the national
: state and county revenues. Missouri
= must act at once to avail itself o
the federal aid law. The Legislation
+ necessary to avail Missouri to par
3 ticipate In this fund should be enacte,
during the early part Of the session
J, Under the provisions OF the fedora
aid law an appropriation of $4,000
p 900 is made for apportionment amon
}. the several states during the five
year fiscal period ending June %
/. 1921. If the proper legislation is er
acted at once Missouri's part OF thi
l. will be $2,545,S ,S06.15. To avail oul
selves of this federal road act require
It the creation of state highway d'
4 partment with controlling power owe
l. the construction of state roads, tn
= completion OF a satisfactory and con
n prehensive period Of construction fo
Q the five-year period and the submi
p sion to the secretary Of agricultur
l. for his approval. such projects, SUI
t gestions. plans, specifications and e.
l. Inmates as are necessary and pract
4, cable. And we must agree throug
j, this state highway department wit
the secretary Of agriculture on tn
d roads to be constructed and II
ID character OF construction, and II
y state highway department must fu
al ther agree to maintain the roads CO
re structed under the provisions OF tn
L act.