Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1919-03-21
WHAT IS THAT HIGHWAY AMENDMENT?
Governor. A. E. Sleeper answers the questions
Michigan Voters asking in categorical review of
the Good Roads proposition to be submitted to the
people at the Spring election. April T.
(By Gov. A. e. Sleeper.)

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fall due?
The cost of interest and sinking
fund payments under this plan would
be $2,S76,364 per annum This figures
out to between sixty-seven and sixty
eight cents on each $1,000 Of assessed
valuation.
Are these cost figures accurate?
Yes, and no. They are based on the
present valuation of Michigan The
assessed valuation will increase ma
terially with each passing year with
the result that the cost per $1,000 OF
assessed valuation will be materially
reduced. 1t cannot be increased.
Will the proposed system of main
market highways connect all large
cities?
! Yes. ~
VIII it reach every county?
Yes.
What proportion of the states high
way traffic will this system care for?
Better than seventy per cent.
What type OF pavement will be
used?
The plan calls for permanent road
ways. This means the type of paving
will be determined by the traffic Of the
present and the needs of future deve-
lopment.
How will the program help the labor
situation.
Half of every dollar spent will go 20
labor. Workmen, horses and equip
ment in the community where the
work is proceeding will have first call.
! Will the program help care for re-
turned soldier boys who are out OF
employment and who have no regular
trades?
Yes. This Is the chief reason for
the liberal Federal aid appropriation.
The Department of Agriculture has
asked for and received the assurance
of the Michigan and other State High
way departments that the work will
proceed without delay to help solve
the problem Of the unemployed.
Why is the U. S. Postoffice Depart
ment interested in road development?
Tests of postal express service has
demonstrated its superiority over rail
way mail even for long hauls and ex-
periments on a large scale over i'm
proved highways have shown such re-
markable earnings that the depart
] m hn ~ n
service along eventually to put the
/ Postal Department upon paying
! basis. Good Roads also>are needed for
motor feeders in connection with the
] development of aerial mail service.
May women vote on the Amend
ment?
Those who have registered
Who have Endorsed the project?
President Wilson, the United States
Post Office Department, the United
States Department of Agricultural,
Michigan's congressman and United
States senators, the Michigan Legis-
lature, State Association of Supervi
sors, most of the Boards of Supervi-
sors, State Federation of Womens
Clubs, State Federation of Labor, the
governor, all state officers. the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties, boards
Of commerce in every city, the Ro
tarians, the farmer organizations, the
Kiwanis clubs, automobile clubs, the
steam and interurban railways, praa
! tically all city, county and township
officers, the bench and bar of Michi
gan and practically every prominent
man and woman in the state.
Will road work under the provisions
of the amendment affect the improve.
ment and maintenance operations on
other than main market highways?
Yes. 1t will inspire greater activl-
ties and leave more money to be spent
in local communities for the develop
ment of feeder highways. The plan
involves increased state rewards both
for construction and maintenance.
Are improved highways worth the
investment?
A whole volume might be written On
the direct benefits to be derived from
highway Improvement. They increase
the land valuations not only on proper.
ty abutting the highway, but at some
distances removed. They cut the cost
and time required for all hauling.
They mean railroad to the farmers
door. They mean reduced cost of liv.
ing. They mean better living condi,
tons. They improve the physical,
moral. spiritual and educational condi-
tons. They will bring into Michigan
additional resort and tourist trade ev.
cry year sufficient to cover the entire
cost many times over. They provide
labor for unemployed men, teams and
equipment In every community. BY
cutting the time element In travel by
road, they reduce the size of the state
to less than one-half and bring the
farmers two-thirds nearer the centers
of population. They will open the
way for the rapid expansion of the
rural parcel post and bring city ex.
press service to every agricultural
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