Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-03-01

Tired from his Al days Of tedious
labor on the floor the State Leg
islature, Senator B. L. Eddy returned
here Tuesday morning from Salem.
Although the session was marked with
a number of humorous and unpro-
ductive" incidents, Senator Eddy says
considerable constructive legislation
was enacted, and that the legislators
are returning to their homes feeling
that they rendered the best possible
service in behalf of the people Of Ore.
gon.
Probably the most important legisla-
tion which was ''put over' during the
session was the bill providing for the
issuance of bonds in the sum of So
100000, with which to begin the estab-
lishment of an extensive system of
highway construction in this state
While this bill will not meet with the
approval of all the people Of the state,
Senator Eddy says it was the best that
could be enacted under the eireum-
stances.
Bond Issue is S7,900,00
The 'bone-dry" law was enacted
and is now in effect. The measure
doubling the license to be paid on
automobiles in Oregon is another bill
which will have tendency to bring
about improved and permanent roads
in this state, according to Senator Ed
dy. Although not of special interest to
/ the people of this vicinity, Senator Ed
dy says number of laws were adopted
NH sah Oe 1,.a 20 ha
| irrigated sections of Eastern Oregon.
In speaking of the law authorizing
the issuance of $6,000,000 bonds with
which to begin new system Of high
way construction in Oregon. Senator
Eddy had the following to say:
"What is known as the $6,000,000
bond issue really involves the issuance
of $7,900,000 of bonds for highway
purposes, for the reason that the new
bill which is to be submitted to the
people makes it compulsory to issue
| 81 100000 in bonds under what is
known as the Bean-Barrett bill, which
was originally intended only as an
emergency measure to enable the state
to meet the funds which are to come
| from the Unit States Government
unueT W1HC Is hHONu as INC koEuCh4O-
/ ford law.
Means go to rs Millions
{ "The general impression seems to
be that what is called the "big bond
issue" will provide for an extensive
system of highways which are named
in the bill. Unfortunately the en-
thusiasts for the bond issue have caus-
ed the impression to be spread abroad
that the bill about to be submitted to
the people will finance this large
scheme of highway improvement. AS
a matter of fact, the scheme involves
the expenditure on the part of the state
of Oregon Of perhaps 40 or so millions
Of dollars, aside from 20 to 25 millions
to be invested by the counties. This
i is the justification for the position TAX
en- by the state senate that the matter
should be submitted to the people.
--s'My own efforts with reference to
the bill have been directed along two
lines: first, to secure certain amend
ments which would safeguard the pub
lie interests, and the interests of the
state at large; and, secondly, to give
the people a chance to express their
views.
i CT caused to be inserted in the bill
an amendment restricting the issue of
bonds for the first year to one million
dollars and for the second year to two
million dollars. The object of this was
i to prevent the issuance of the whole
amount of bonds at one time, and the
entering into reckless and extravagant
schemes. The state highway commission
IL VET To he aDDointed and an engineer