Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-05-30
GOOD ROADS MEETING
NOT WELL ATTENDED
Governor, Simon Benson and
c. H. Chapman We're
the Boosters

The gospel Of good roads was preach
ed last evening at the mass meeting
held in the armory. Governor Witty
combe presided and the address of the
evening was made by Dr.. C. H. Chap
man.
Disappointment that so small num-
Der of people should be interested in
the good roads discussion was ex-
pressed by the governor. He was sorry
that there should even be a division of
opinion on SO important a matter and
also sorry that the farmers had been
deluded and deceived. cit pains me to
hear that the state highway commission
has been linked with the paving trust, +"
said the governor, "and l am amazed
that men and women with business
qualifications are opposed to the meas
ure, " He claimed that the present
good roads bond proposition was the
best road measure that had ever been
presented in any state and felt that it
was the patriotic duty of every citizen
to vote for the measure, especially as
the military authorities at Washington
were begging for good roads As the
autos will pay for the roads and the
tax payers not be taxed cent, he could
not understand why there should be any
opposition to the bonds.
Simon Benson was introduced by the
governor as "the grand old man of Ore
gon, y" stating that Mr.. Benson had done
more for the roads of Oregon than any
20 men in the state.
Mr. Benson's Argument.
Mr.. Benson said that the auto licenses
alone would redeem the bonds in six
years, claiming that within six years,
the annual auto licenses fould amount
to $l,000,000. As member of the state
highway commission, he said that the
first roads to receive attention would
be the Columbia highway and the Pa
eific highway, as so per cent Of the
travelling in the state was on these two
general highways. Also that the paw
ing would begin with the county seats
of each county working on the trunk
lines first and then the laterals.
Mr.. Benson had the figures to show
the advance in the price of land where
there are good roads and cited Multno-
NAH county where the farm lands are
now worth 100000 more than before
good roads were built. Even the saw
ing on autos with good roads was big
thing as Mr.. Benson figured out with
the $30,000000 worth of autos in the
state, there would at least be a saving
of 10 per cent in wear and tear and the
amount of gasoline used /
What Good Roads Do.
The roads would be II to Is feet wide
according to the requirements of locali- i
ties. Up in Mulmomah county Mr., Ben
son said on his 100 acre farm it former
ly cost SO ton to get potatoes into
Portland but now the auto truck gets
them and delivers for 81 ton.
DIR. C. II. Chapman, Of Portland, was
by the governor as the N st
popular platform orator in the state. e.
Mr.. Chapman, who claims to be some
hing akin to a socialist, said at first
ne was against the bonds, but that aft
sr studying the situation and the bill
ne felt that the passage of the good
.oad bond hill was the best thing that
,ould happen to Oregon. When it comes
o war bonds and road bonds, he was in
avop, of taxing big incomes for the war
axes and thought it would be a fine
dea to take some of Mr. Benson s big
neome, and he was inclined to believe
Ar. Benson was patIlutAc chuuSh iiot ~
,bjeet.
Legislature Rotten"
"Iid like to hang the paving trust on
sour apple tree" said Mr.. Chapman,
'and as so many towns have been
windled in their paving. do not blame
many people for being suspicious" " But
low that there was SO much publicity,
10 thought the paving trusts would
ave TO go straight, especially as the !
tate highway commission has the right
o reject ali bids. 'The only rotten
hing in the state is the legislature, and
he people have pretty good control of
( by means Of the initiative and refer ,
ndam" In conclusion Mr.. Chapman
hought Oregon needed just three
hings, drainage, good roads and more
eople.
Cora Hanson Olson, the nightingale of /,
ilverton, By her finished singing, DEM /
her right to the title and the a
udienee was so pleased that she was :
bliged to respond to an encore. The a
Tebel Cherry Bud band played and /
gorge c. L. snyder sang patriotic
ing.