The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-01-11

HOiltiCS SnOulu not SELeT HUI IOdu
work. and the law should be accord
ingly drawn.
Our roads should be constructed by
joint participation of the national,
state and county revenues. Missouri
must act at once TO avail itself OF
the federal aid law The legislation
necessary TO avail Missouri to par
ticipate in this fund should be enacted
during the early part of the session.
Under the provisions Of the federal
aid law an appropriation of s75.000.-
GOO is made for appOrtionment among
the several states during the five
year fiscal period ending June 20.
1921 II the proper legislation is en-
acted at once MissOuri's part of this
will be S2,545. S06.15. To avail our
selves of this federal road act requires
the creation of a state highway de-
partment with controlling power over
the construction Of state roads. the
completion of a satisfactory and com
prehensive period Of construction for
the five-year period and the submits
sion to the secretary Of agriculture
for his approval. such projects, sug- .
eestionS, plans, specifications and e.
Inmates as are necessary and praCti-
cable And we must agree through
this state highway department with
the secretary OF agriculture on tho
roads to he constructed and the
character of construction, and the
state highway department must fur
Their agree to maintain the roads con-
structed under the provisions Of this
act
With a bipartisan commission. the
ment given to us by the national gov
eminent. and revision Of our road
laws, | believe that within one year
work on statewide plan will be Tar
enough advanced to reach directly
every county in the state.
The employment of convicts on the
building Of roads in Missouri has not
met with general approval in the past.
The creation of a state highway com
mission would remove this objection.
This would give a very wide field OF
operation for the cOnvicts as they
could be employed not only in the
building of roads hut in the pTOduc-
ton OF the materials that go into
road building The state highway
commission should use whatever
number Of men the prison commits
sion may offer at fair compensation.
/ recommend an Increase in the
automobile tax so that the rate would
equal that OF other states. From this
source alone there should be de-
rived during the coming year 81 poo
coo. There is now surplus in the
road fund of $500 GOO. The stamp tax.
the federal aid law and other present
special taxes. together with the above
amounts would give us approximately
1000, 600 for the first year. This
would increase rapidly. But in addi'
ton to this ! recommend that You
submit constitutional amendment
providing either for an additional tax
or substantial bond issue for road
improvements.
New Capitol.
The new capitol building approach
es completion. The state capitol
commission board advises that tho
but ling will be ready for occupancy
as soon as the necessary furnishings
can be provided There is to the
credit OF the capitol board fund
of $500. 900, which amount. however,
is not available for furnishings on ac-
count Of an omission IN the law a2
it stands at present. In order mat
there he no delay in the completion
and occupancy of the building, | rec
Ommend that the general assembly AZ
once vest the board with the necoS-
sary authority to expPnd this S@'"'-
600 for furnishings and COmpletin%
the building. and for such other pur-
poses in connection Herewith as the
board may deem necessary
This board has done a great and
patriotic work There is no defic"-
There has been no extravaganza ana
there has been no criticism. This work
is a splendid example of fltetity /"
trust in public service.
Workingmen's Compensation Act.
The great progressive states no"
have in operation worklngmen =
CONDENSATION law which has been, sat
isfactorv to both employer and en-
Move. This is a complex question
and involves technical knowledge.
There are members Of this assem-
blv who have given the matter care
fuI consideration. and feel sure that
YOU will be able to agree upon APP
nropriatp legislation. and trust
sound measure may be passed al an
early date.
New Constitution.
The platforms of both political par
ties declared in favor OF submitting
10 the people the question or
a convention shall be held for The
purpose of revising and amending
the constitution Of this state.
7 recommend that you authorize
bv law. a vote of the people to be
taken upon this question.
Our constitution was adopted IN
1875. Since that time this state has