The Raymer enterprise., 1919-02-20
THE ROAD BOND.
QUESTION DISCUSSED
BY W. A. Insineer Of Greeley

Wotu SOuuty NEWS, not only because
II is unusual Tor man to take up
the defense OF an unpopular ques-
tion. but because Mr.. lpsinger always
discusses matters whh broad toll
erance for the views Of others We
like TO read what he says. and feel
that our readers will also enjoy and
profit by reading.-Ed. Enterprise.
Inasmuch as l have served for this
Northern district on the executive
committee OF the Colorado Good
Roads Association. l 6ught to have
the right and duty to clear up some
Of the Misunderstanding which |
hnd 80 prevalent among the publi.:
about the Good Roads Bond Bill now
before the State Legislature
II could be expected that many
Taxpayers begin to look unfavorably
upon proposition for borrowing
millions Of dollars on state boads.
When, however. the financial propn-
sition is turned down in editorials as
well as In resolutions by the farmers
institute, as an unworthy scheme, it
is time to give those who read your
paper more than one side Of the
question.
Let me begin to state that so IA,
| have not advocated large bone is
sue, and that am as free as any
Weld County taxpayer to vote for or
against In case this or any other way
Of raising more money for highway
Improvement be submitted to the
voters. There would be abundant
time to consider not only the amoun,
Of money asked for but all the more
important items Of how, where ard
by whom the money is to be spent.
It n well known that no mono.
can be borrowed on state bonds
without ratification by the tax
payers at, regular election.
What | have seen Is that during
the past year the subject OF more
money for state highways has been
studied and has been given much
publicity In the press. No one has
denied that something had to be done
to Keep up with the times. Commit.
tee meetings az well as conventions
have practically unanimously con-
cluded that the present legislature
would have to provide more funds.
1t Is not only that the annual in |
come Of this important department
has become smaller in proportion to |
the high prices. but the U. s. Govern
ment has taken part In the nation
wide movement for better roads. II
offers large sums Of money to assist |
such states as have put themselves
In shape to accept contributions.
Under the existing conditions our
great State Of Colorado. which has
been conservative but slower than |
most states. can not meet the general |
governments requirements. To those
who have only listened to petty criti-
cisms on the Colorado State Highway
commission. let me say here, that
II has been the opposite from extrav-
agant, an In general has earned the
respect OF all those who have come
In touch with 1t. was present at
the preliminary meetings held some
years ago to find some beginning Of
funds for our state highways. AT
that time already the boosters we're
strongly arguing that this state
should borrow. like other progressive
states. millions OF dollars for high
ways. Naturally the contractors were
talking the loudest. II was the State
Highway Commissioner who strenu-
ously opposed the plan. for the time
being, on the ground that It would
b wiser to start slower and gain
more time by study and profit from
the experience Of the already large
bond issues which other states had
already started with. fEic opinion
prevailed. the half mill levy was pro-
posvJ and was goon ratified by the
voters, Colorado went slower aid
wors conservative than many states;
but now tho time has come tina, it
can no longer lag behind. No other
State. excepting perhaps California
(which by the way has borrowed al
ready hundreds OF millions), has so
much to gain by developing its re-
sources az tourist state on top Of
the we'll known economy Of better
transportation. No other expendi-
ture Of state moneys promises as
quick returns and immediate bene-
fts. |
I have no fault to find with the
usual spirit OF conservatism OF our
farmers and Of the average citizen
II is a good trait and has stood us In
good stead for steady normal de.
velopment. ! have never found that
an improvement. however new, canl
not find intelligent support in our