Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-08-01


Again and again the foregoing
points essential TO the carrying of
the proposal to authorize a bond is
sue of S60,0OO,000 for improved
highways in Illinois were forcibly
brought to the attention of members
of the boards of supervisors in the
convention of the Association of
Supervisors and County and Pro-
bate Clerks yesterday afternoon, in
Rock Island.
W. G. EdenS, president of the
Illinois Highway association, and
S. E. Bradt, upeTintendent of high
ways of Illinois, addressed the body
and urged that no stone be left IN
turned in the advocacy of a favor
able vote.
Mr.. Edens proceeded upon the as
sumption that men present were in
formed largely upon the provis-
ions of the measure that is to be
submitted in the November cleo
ton. He gave some of the history
of good roads movements in the
state. He said that organization
had been perfected and work was
about to be done in 80 counties
along the Lincoln and Dixie high
ways, the National trail and the
military highway from Chicago to
the Wisconsin line, when the war
came on and stopped operations.
1t was stated that it is estimated
that Sc per cent of the population
of the state live on the highways
that the state proposes to improve
by constructing a hard surface.
THE working people should I'M
derstand." said Mr. Edens, that
10 tax will be imposed upon any
person not owning an automobile
Further they should be instruct
ed that no matter how well they
understand that, and no matter
how much they favor the proposal,
if they fail to vote the little ballot,
and it fails of receiving a majority
of votes cast for representative of
the general assembly, it fails of
passage
Nearly all of the boards of su-
pervisOrs of the state have en-
dOrsed the proposal. In eight meet
irgs of the township commission
crs the proposal has been endorsed
This gives an official endorsement
that should guarantee it to the peo-
pie Of your constituencies. These
endorsements count with your
neighbors. I suggest that you give
il another endorsement before cleo
ton for the benefit of the publicity
it will receive These things are
quickly forgotten.
Members of the state conven-
ton Endorsed the bond issue They
found last winter that where hard
roads had been constructed the
work was proceeding at a time
when poor roads in other localities
prevented any traffic in their pro-
duct
in the state are 1900 frame
school shacks having an average
attendance of eight pupils. 1t is
being realized that not only will
hard roads make easier commun-
icatiOn for men and goods, but that
it means a better educational sys-
TEN for the state
System Only Skeleton.
about so per cent of the high
way traffic is over the five per
cent of the roads of the proposed
improved system" said S. E. Bradt
in opening his address. This sys-
TEN is only a skeleton on which to
hang a system that will go into
every part of the state
Taking up the matter of finanC-
ing the improved road system he
said that in 1917 there were 100000
cars for which a license was paid
at the average rate of IS a car; that
the fee had been increased 100 per
cent and on that basis it would
yield by 1920 the sum of $780,
600. 1t was estimated that in IS
years it would yield $S5,000,000,
which would more than pay the
bonds and interest.
Mr.. Bradt said that although the
war is on the number of cars upon
which license fees were paid in the
first six months of this year was
1851 900. 1t is estimated that in
four years this will be increased 40
per cent. Based upon increases in
numbers of cars, it is estimated
that in 1924 the revenue will be
$6,000,000 per annum.
Based upon an estimated increase
in the number of automobiles and
the present license fees, it was as
serted that in 25-year period
there wiuld be available $147, 000,-