The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-03
REPORT IS MADE
ON IOWA ROADS
Governor Clarke's Commission, Of
Which James c. Davis 10 Member,
Makes Some Rec
concentrations.
TO HAVE STATE LEAD
Present Plan Would be Retained, A.
though Suggestions on Ad-
minIstratlon Are
Made. o.

Governor Clarke's better roads
commission Of which James G. Davis,
formerly of Keokuk, and D. W. Norris
who spoke here in November before
the Keokuk Retailers league, are MEM
bers, has made its report on Iowa
roads. Here 1t is:
1--WE have found that there Is an
abundance of material in most OF our
counties for surfacing our roads.
1--WE have found that present taxes
are high enough to accomplish the de-
sired results IL properly conserved IN
more permanent types of work.
I'VE believe that the anticipation OF
fixed revenues will make possible
much more permanent work at less
units of cost by reason of the eff1-
cheney Of large contracts.
I'VE recognize the difficulty Of
amending our state constitution FOR
utilizing the states superior credit,
hence we advise that the counties ana
townships be used rs bonding units Tor
all classifications OF highway improve
ments. but that tar levies Of town
ships and special districts may be
pledged to the county bond fund tor
improvements within the districts COW
cred by the levies pledged.
1--WE believe that property specially
benefited should be assessed for
small portion of the cost to equanze
| the tax burden with those whose
property is not 50 fully benefited.
1--WE urge that the electors be given
power to initiate as we'll as to deter
mine by ballot what kind OF roads
they want and how the work Is to be
financed.
1--WE recommend that the motor
| vehicle license be collected by the
county governments and be devoted
solely to the surfacing OF roads ana
their maintenance.
Would Retain Present Plan.
eve suggest that 1t would be un-
wise to destroy the present plan OF
county and township administration OF
highway affairs for new plan which
would involve further delay in ex-
perimentation.
eve believe that no new set OF road
| officials should be created but pres
ent township and county taxing bodies
can be given authority over all kinds
Of tax levies for roads.
1--WE have found progress greatly
promoted by aid from various states
to their counties and suggest that
some portion of our motor vehicle H.
cense fund be used for this purpose
in conjunction with aid from the ma
tiona1 government already provided
by federal enactment.
because of the necessity OF ship
ping road material from one county to
another we recommend that the state
assist those counties so unfortunate
" situated by using its convicts at
gravel pits and quarries to load free
on board cars the material which is to
he used on roads in other counties.
State Should Lead.
"Our state stands first in its per
capita wealth and first in automobiles
per capita. We respectfully urge that
the next legislature give to our PEG
pie every possible means for lifting
our state from its present position as
fifth from the bottom In the percent
age of its roads which are surfaced
while taxing its people for roads and
bridges more than do any OF the
states excepting two. First IN ABILITY
to spend, first in our need Tor nard
roads to use and third in taxes spent
we deserve something more than for
ty-fourth rank in results as measured
by the surfacing done
The report is signed by D. W. Nor
ris, ]. w. Foster,-J. G. Davis, G. Il.
Cameron. J. NJ. Brockway, E. T. Mere
dfth and f. F.. Rose, and makes a
pamphlet OF twelve pages consisting OF
10000 words. 1t includes road sur
facing chart Of Iowa, a. section show
81 fpL IT he ri rn0do
a table showing the low rank OF Iowa
for results, a section explaining how
hard roads are a benefit to the
towns, and q section explaining the
workings of the federal law providing
for aid for the building of good roads
by the government. A table Is given
showing progress in construction Of
county road systems, as reported to
the state highway commission by
county engineers.
Much Material At Hand.
Taking up the question Of road sur
facing materials, the report says that
contrary to expectations. I'VE are
pleased to report that there is an
abundance Of road surfacing material
in this state suitable to it's traffic con-
ditions.
"Sixty-six counties in our state, as
shown by the chart furnished US by
the state highway commission, have
local material sufficient for their own
needs. Twenty-Five counties have a
surplus from which material can be
shipped to the thirty-three counties
which do not have material Of their
own and we find that It has proved
practicable upon large contracts in
other states to ship gravel 100 miles
| for road work. =
No New Tax Necessary.
After careful Investigation OF the
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