The Delta independent., 1919-05-23
TWO ocEAN-To-ocEAN CEMENT
HIGHWAYS ARE URGED

A number of practical suggestions
| intended to solve the reconstruction
problems now before the country, were
made at the governors and mayors
conference, held in the White House
on March 3 and 4, at the invitation of
President Wilson, although, generally
speaking, the conference was without
! definite, concrete results. Among the
resolutions made and referred to
committee for further consideration,
however, was one by Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor George Stephan of Delta, Colo
rado, who proposed the federal govern
ment Immediately begin the construc-
ton of two ocean-to-ocean cement high
ways, as the most practicable way 20
furnish labor to all industries. In this
the government would have the coop
GRAFTON of the states, which would all
improve the lateral roads radiating
from this system The suggestion is
of so much interest to the nations
road builders that Governor Stephan's
speech is reprinted in full in the bull
letin. The speech is as follows:
las the government has to some ex-
tent outlined policy, is seems to me
the most important matters to be con-
sidered are:
First, are the various states and
municipalities cooperating with the
Federal Government in carrying out
it's policies? And second, has the Fed
eral Government anticipated the re-
quirements of the various states and
i municipalities?
'If the Federal plan falls short in
any particular, it should be our priv
ilege at this time to call the matter
to the attention of the proper depart
ment, in order that the Government
may be advised of the conditions and
be prepared to render the necessary
assistance.
so far as the State of Colorado is
concerned, the question of unemploy-
ed labor is not serious one. as we
have been able to furnish employment
to the returning soldiers. feel, how
ever, that we are confronted with
much more serious problem. being
that of the spirit OF unrest caused by
the Bolshevik propaganda and tenden-
cies, and, as a matter of fact, / con-
slider this the greatest menace to CIV
ilization and one which must be con-
fronted and overcome during our per-
iod of reconstructin.
Colorado is furnishing employment
to men by resuming work on all pub.
| lie improvements, such as public
buildings of every nature, streets, sew
ers, roads, etc, and If the constitution
of the State of Colorado permitted us
to aid railroads, We would undoubted
ly assist some of our struggling roads
by giving them the financial assist
ance to enable them in the constrnc-
tion of needed Extensions, etc.
"Our legislature is in session and
there are bills now pending, providing
for money to be used in the further
construction of roads. Among these
measures is one providing for a tax
of one cent per gallon on gasoline:
one for increased automobile license
tax; one for doubling the present in
heritance tax, the additional income
from which will be placed in the road
fund. In addition to which, bill n
pending by which the people will be
asked to vote twenty million dollar
bond issue for road purposes.
| lueSe are all III duu1tlOU 10 udil-
mill levy, which levy brings an income
of 100000 or 100000 per annum
In addition to these provisions made
by the state, the counties, cities AMI
towns have almost without exception
been increasing their levy for road
purposes
I'VE feel, therefore, that the state
of Colorado, as well as various mu-
inequalities. is doing all in its power
to cooperate with the Federal Gov
ernment in giving employment to men
and a market fo- raw materials as
we'll as manufactured products.
while the various departments of
the Federal Government deserve great
credit for what they have already
done, there are some matters which
the through business from such Gov
ernment controlled roads.
Another road is in very bad finan-
cial condition, being unable to extend
a complete system as originally plan.
ned and without which extension the
limited business makes the road up.
profitable.
"The question of highways, In my
mind, is even more important than
they seem to have overlooked or have
not yet reached. The greatest periods
of development in the United States
were brought about at a time when
the Federal Government gave very