Imperial Valley press., 1919-04-08
GOV. STEPHENS
IN STATEMENT
ON HIGHWAYS

| bOVeTilOT stephens mas SenC C1e 1Ol-
lowing message to the Senate and As
sembly of the State of California;:
! Measures now before you for con-
sideration provide for the building of
many hundreds of miles of State
there seems to be in every section
of the state a very general opin-
ion that we should at this time un-
dertake the construction of such ad-
ditional roads as are essential to
greater industrial development and
will directly contribute to the pros
perity of all the people.
| Through their favorable expert
ence with highways already construct
ed, the people of California have be-
come confirmed in their support of
good roads. They have come to ap-
preciate the value of these splendid
arteries of commerce leading into
every section of the state, not only
for the tourist and pleasure seeker,
but for the business man and for the
transportation of passengers and
freight. Besides providing for the
| handling of the products of fields and
! factories to market and to rail and
to water terminals, these splendid
highways extending along our coast
| line and the great interior valleys,
with latetrals to all sections of the
state, from a standpoint of military
defense alone are worth many times
the amount of money that has been
expended upon them in the past and
that it is now proposed to spend upon
their completion.
at is the duty of the state govern
ment of California no less than it is
the duty of individual citizens to do
all those things which can be done
to provide employment tor returning
soldiers, sailors and marines. Every
brave lad who answered the nations
call and stood ready and willing to
give his life, if need be, that free in
stitutions might be preserved, is en-
titled, as a matter of right and JUS
tice, to have an opportunity to earn
an honest living.
"By engaging on large scale in
the construction Of necessary roads
at this time California not only can
in large measure discharge her duty
to returning heroes, but at the same
time greatly promote her own pros
perity. l believe it to be fact that
the state never has derived so great
benefit from any expenditure or in
vestment as from the money spent
upon the state highway system.
eff this extensive program of high
way construction can be put into op-
GRAFTON without delay it will materi-
ally assist in absorbing back into the
peacetime industries Of this state, not
only the men who have been serving
in the army or the navy, but also
many Of those who have been en-
gagged in war industries. Some of the
men employed in building ships soon
must be seeking othe remployment.
The returning veteran who goes back
to his former place in factory or shop
or store or office or farm must dis
place some other worker and provis-
ion also must be made for the dis
placed worker.
"If California is to attain the
highest degree of prosperity she
must expand her industries and her
activities so as to provide many more
jobs than now exist. There must be
work for every honest man or wom-
an who wants to work. Not only
must we provide work for returning
soldiers, but as we'll we must see to
it that those now engaged in useful
pursuits be not thereby forced into
idleness. A state is truly prosper
Gus only when all its people are hap
PLY and contentedly engaged in hon.
est and profitable pursuits.
"If the state will authorize the ex-
tensive program of highway construc-
tion which it appears is agreed upon
in all sections as being both desirable
and necessary and will arrange to
put these operations into effect at
once, it will make very substantial
contribution toward providing places
for those who wish to work. If the
state will do its part in providing
additional work, private business no
doubt can be relied upon to keep pace
and the industries Of the state soon
will be restored to a healthful and
profitable peace basis.
81 earnestly urge that the legisla-
ture take immediate action to place
before the people of this state a
proposition to vo0e additional high
way bonds. That these bonds may be
voted at the earliest date and the ac-
tual construction begun with the least
delay, l suggest that the matter be
submitted to the people in the form
Of an amendment to the Constitution
Of California, to be passed upon at
a special election to be called as soon
after adjournment of the legislature
as possible, and that because of the
special Importance of the matter no
other question be put upon the bal
lot at that time.
81 respectfully request that you
give this undertaking your earnest
consideration.
"WM. D.STEPHENS,
Governor"