The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1919-01-11
GOOD ROAD
De CTS | D N
LIFTSBURDE:N
Indiana Legislators Rejoice
That Big Task Has Been
Taken Off Their Hands
BY the Indiana Supreme
Court.
TINES BUREAU.

TINES BUREAU.
AT STATE CAPITAL.
INDIANAPOLIS. mo. Gan. 1.-THE
decision of the Indiana susprene court.
unfolding the constitutionality Of the
1917 state highway commission law. has
changed the political complexion Of the
present Legislature to great extent.
Two problems had been faced nv this
legislature which were overshadowing
as the legislature convened. one was
the tax revision problem and the other
was good roads legislation On the lat
Ter & bitter fight was in prospect. with
the big interests that back concrete.
brick. asphalt and other forms OF paving
materials, taking an interest in the pre-
umtnary steps 20 highway commission
legislation. Already the rumor had been
heard that certain groups already were
opposed 70 any legislation on the road
subject. If their type Of law were not
enacted. II WAS realized. however. that
some sort Of good roads legislation. bas-
ed on centralized control OF the propos-
I'd new state highway system. would
have TO be enacted Indiana roads
have almost been ruined-at least those
commonly known as the main market
heavy burden Of army and commercial
trucks during the war period. Need OF
immediate beginning Of a good roads
program that viii encompass hundreds
Of miles in the state IS perhaps the
most imperative reconstruction prob
lem that confronts the state. in the be-
lief Of leaders in every lire Of business
and the decision OF the supreme court
opens the door for such a beginning
With this situation in view there viii
he taken a great burden from OF the
shoulders or this legislature. although
many vital amendments to the highway
law Of course must be made. The old
road fight. as such. however. probably
viii not come UP. although several
Corollary prohlems-such ss the PRO-
posed county unit road law. to supple
ment the state highway program. and
the eternal wransls over the three mile
gravel road law-already are forming
,0pics OF much conversation in the legis-
lative halls
Leaders OF the road program in the
house and senate expressed the opinion
'oday that the road program from now
on VIII merely center on amendment Of
he statute that has just been upheld
and elaborate plans for the enactment of
new state highway commission law
probably viii be dropped.
Many Of the Indiana legislators went
O their homes today. ss neither house
held 4 session. The patrona &c commit
ICES of both houses have been working
and the house committee practically has
'ompleted its work fer the early ses-
sIons The senate committee was TO
meet Monday to complete the roster Of
lie earlier employees Of the upper house
Discussion still persisted today on the
problem Of the proposed new tax bill
some clements in the state are lining
up against the measure. II Is reported.
on the theory that IL will work out in
practicely only to increase taxation on
'angihle property. while intangibIes will
continue to escape their just burden.
sponsors of the bin. including the state
hoard OF tax commissioners however.
believe it viii pass and open the door for
1ro per cent. tax valuations in Indiana
With the attendant benefits that should
have come TO the state long ago they
say.