Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-02-06
ROAD BUILDING TO
DEPEND UPON WAR
State Highway Commission
Will Improve Main
Roads Only

Road construction in Oregon this year
involving the expenditure of state
funds, will be confined to completing
the Pacific Highway, the Columbia
River Highway and such other main
line sections of highways as may be
found desirable and available for mill
tary uses. And even then this eonstrue-
tion work will be undertaken only af-
ter the federal authorities have investi-
gated each separate Improvement and
given it approval.
This curtailed policy of road building
was adopted yesterday by the State
Highway Commission at meeting held
in the rooms of the Portland Press club.
1t was decided upon following the
expressed wishes of the government
authorities and was attended by the
assurance of delegations of citizens from
various parts of the state that such a
policy by the commission would have
their hearty and patriotic support.
Opening of Bids Postponed.
In pursuance of this decision the
commission deferred indefinitely the
opening of bids for $500,000 of road
bonds advertised to be opened at yes
terday's meeting. These proposals will
not be opened and considered until the
members of the commission shall have
submitted to the proper federal auth
critics detailed plan of their proposed
road-building programme, as that pro-
gramme relates to the completion of the
main trunk lines, and are authorized to
proceed with the work.
A week ago w. l.. Thompson, member
of the commission, telegraphed Secre-
tary of the Treasury McAdoo of the in
tention of the commission at its meeting
yesterday to sell $500,000 Of bonds for
road building purposes. His purpose was
to obtain the required permission of the
capital issues committee at Washington
to dispose of the bonds. Responsive to
the request, Paul M. Warburg, chairman
of the capital issues committee of the
federal reserve board, ON January 20
telegraphed Mr.. Thompson from Wash
ington as follows;
Secretary McAdoo has turned over
to this committee your telegram yester-
day. Committee expresses appreciation
of your submitting your proposition in
view of early date you have set for re-
ceiving bids. 1t is impossible for com
mittee to assemble sufficient data to
judge fairly and intelligently merits of
case involved. If it is your desire to
have positive expression of views and
if it is possible somewhat to postpone
the date of your sale, it is recommended
that you furnish data Immediately to
Federal Reserve Bank at San Francisco,
governor and chairman of which will
act as local committee for this commit
tee.
"This committee holds to the broad
view that no expenditure should be
made at this time except those that are
clearly compatible with and essential
to national welfare as distinguished
from local interest,""
S. Benson, chairman, and q. j. Adams
the third commissioner, joined with Mr..
Thompson in requesting an expression
from those in the audience as to wheth-
er or not they would support a policy
by the commission which proposed con
filming all work this year to The con-
struction of the main highways.
Hearty cooperation of such "a plan,
which was generally declared to be sat
was assured by L. NJ. Graham,
of Forest Grove; County Judges Malone
of Benton county; Mcknight, of Linn;
PLY, of Union; Kirkpatrick of Polk |
and Barnes of Deschutes, and NJ Nc |
Donald, of Orenco.
eff it is good business for the gov
to curtail its work, then it is !
a good thing for the Highway Commits
sion to curtail its activities" said
Judge Kirkpatrick. This same sentiment
was expressed by a number Of the
others.
Abandonment Is Opposed
J. A. Thornburg, of Forest Grove, was
opposed to abandoning road work en-
tirely and argued strongly for laying |
the base and providing better traffic
to facilitate the movement |
Of increased crop production to the mar
kets. Mr.. Thornburg argued that the
need of more roads that could be trav-
aled was imperative, and took the po-
5ition that it was good business to pro-
ceed with that plan of construction, pa
wing the roads later.
Clyde N. Johnson, of Junction City |
in this view, pointing out |
hat by simply supplying the base for
roads a greater mileage would be gain
I'd, aud at the same time would supply
roads for the producer.
After considerable general discussion
he meeting reached the opinion that
he only policy to be followed at this /
ime in road building was that tenta-
lively outlined by the commission All
sections of the state, represented at
he meeting, were eager for securing
road building in their respec
i've localities, but unselfishly agreed
o wait until the time was more oppor
une for gaining sectional recognition.
The members of the Highway Com
mission will Immediately outline a def
mite policy as to what it desires to un-
lertake in the way of completing the
main trunk highways. When finished
his statement will be forwarded to the
Federal Reserve Board at San Francis
70.
Personal Presentation Desired.
Hoping to expedite consideration
f their case by the government author
ties, the commission last night tele
,raphed Mr.. Perrin, chairman of the
federal Reserve Board at San Francis
%, requesting permission if possible, to
ippear before the local Federal Reserve
Board and present the same construc-
ion plan for their consideration and
10 Ao 4I,a Con I