South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-30
EXPRESS FAVOR
OF GOOD ROADS
Highway Officials of Indiana
and Michigan Hold Ban
quet at Oliver.

South Bend and this section Of
Indiana are unanimously in favor Of
good roads at any cost within rea-
son If the action of representative
citizens taken Saturday evening at
the dinner rendered Gov. A. l..
Sleeper. Of Michigan. and road Off
Gals Of Indiana and Michigan at the
Oliver hotel can be taken as a cri-
terion.
Acting on the suggestion of l. II
Wright chairman of the state nigh
way commission. that the opinion
Of the meeting be expressed on the
plan advocated for raising the auto
license fee from an average OF p
cents TO at least 55 cents while re
tanning the 1O-cent levy, practically
every man in the room expressed
himself in favor Of the increase by
rising.
Among other prominent guests at
the dinner besides Gov. Sleeper were
II. X Bishop, highway engineer; l.
RI. Wright, chairman OF the Indiana
commission; Archie Campbell, Of the
commission: Milton Elrod. member
of the commission; Frank Rogers,
chairman Of the Michigan high
way commission; Mayor Gaylyr, Of
Mishawaka. and Earl Crawford. OF
the Indiana commission. Or. .. A.
Lippincott presided as POSTMASTER
Governor i'm Speech.
Gov. Sleeper opened the after din
ner program with a brief address in
which ne discussed the present eco
nomic and social conditions brought
about by the rapid development of
America and more lately aggravated
by war conditions.
He especially urged increased pro-
duction both on the farm and in
the factory as the means OF COM
batting the cost of living.
Earl Crawford, member of the
highway commission. in a talk fol-
lowing. dwelt on highway conditions
IN Indiana.
Going directly to the theme of his
address. Mr.. Crawford declared that
false economy accounted for the
present conditions Of the highways
of Indiana. Obstructionists have
been continually in the path Of good
road advocates in the state, he said,
holding up the cost of road building
as their banner where it has been
proven that good roads more than
pay for themselves within the course
OF few years.
No False Economy.
Vow that we have the highway
commission and are in position TO
false economy and politics shall
have no part in the development Of
the state highway system so long
as I am a member of the commits
sion"
Good roads as a business asset
10 the communities which they con-
meet. work for a mutual benefit "
declared Judge White. Of Niles, who
stated that he expected the link
connecting South Bend with his city
20 aid IN the development OF his
city equally as much as it would
stimulate business here
Chairman Wright of the highway
commission. outlined the plan OF the
commission for the development
and maintenance Of the Indiana road
system.
Between January and April of
the coming year" he stated. I'VE
expect 20 take over the roads Of
the entire state for maintenance and
put them in better condition than
they have ever been before"
AIR Wright then declared the
plan of the commission for a license
assessment which would double the
present assessment OF p cents per
horsepower. giving at the same time
figures from Michigan. which has a
like assessment OF 60 cents, and
eastern states. where the assessment
reaches 81 per horsepower.
Unanimous Vote.
It was then the meeting declared
itself unanimously in favor OF the
increased assessment
THE commission 10 develop and
maintain the roads OF the state
should have at least from IS 20 90
million dollars a year" declared Mr..
Wright. AT present we have five
million. whereas neighboring states
are eNpendinE &45,o60.OOo and
more for roads"
Engineers Bishop and hinkie
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