The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-03-05

but NEST senseless thing for us as
citizens to turn down proposition of
so much Importance. The federal
government realizes the necessity of
building up the highways Of our coun-
try over which are carried more than
80 per cent CT the products Of toll.
The government itself uses more than
half of our highways to->carry mail
and parcels post and now that the
trucks have come into being and that
rural motor express lines are being
established everywhere, the necessity
is so apparent that immediate action
seems absolutely necessary.
g. What kind of law will the leg
islature pass? What will be the
size CT the bond issue? How many
years will it cover?
If the constitutional amendment is
carried and becomes a part Of our or
ganic law, the legislature will have
the right and the constitutional au-
thority to provide by law for the
issuance of bonds in such an amount
up to 80 million as to them shall
seem wise and necessary at any time
1t was necessary to place limit be-
yond which they had no authority to
go. Illinois has already bonded for
60 million and Pennsylvania for go
million. Minnesota proposes to ask
for 100 million, Washington 40 mil
lion and Georgia 40 million, while
many states have fixed lesser
amount. We can safely trust the
legislature of Michigan to meet the
issue squarely when it arises. If
congress agrees upon a measure
whereby Michigan will receive 10 or
Is million, then it is up to US to meet
on equal terms the congress and raise
the same amount. If we fail to re-
spond, and turn down the offer SO
made by the federal government, then
Michigan's share will be distributed
to other states. This would greatly
please such states as New York, Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois but it would all
be to the expense of Michigan as well
as to our humiliation in the long run.
BY voting yes upon this constitutional
amendment, we simply say as citi-
zens of Michigan, IL have faith in the
legislature Aand the governor, who
stands as a constant check to see that
! the right and proper thing is done
and the honor and integrity of Mich
igan maintained" Remember when
you vote yes on this constitutional
amendment you are not appropriating
one penny. You are simply saying,
am willing to leave the question to
constituted authority, to the law MAX
ers of the state and to the executive
Michigan law makers have always
been responsive to the peoples wishes.
4. Who will build the roads and
when will they be built?
Frank Rogers, our state highway
commissioner and those associated
with him, together with the u. S.
secretary of agriculture and his asso-
GATES, will determine all of these
questions. Frank Rogers has been
tower Of strength toNthe road boost
ers Of Michigan. His very name
stands for honesty, integrity and eff
| ficiency. Every dollar of the money
will be spent by him and every dollar
will go into the reads. OF this we
are assured. If the amendment is
carried, the legislature, it is hoped
before they adjourn will agree upon a
law that will take care of the situa-
ton and give to the state highway
department sufficient funds to carry
out Immediately a statewide system
of road building and give employment
1 to every man who seeks it. 1t will
help solve some staggering questions
before us now looking towards re-
munerative employment by our re-
turning soldiers and sailors.
5. How much will the bond issue
be?
Again we are trespassing upon the
prerogatives of the legislature. It's
safe to say that they will meet the
congress on equal terms. It's very
evident that if the amendment is car.
ried, bonds will be issued only as me-
cessity arises and in such amounts
from time to time as may be required
to pay Michigan's one-half of distri.
button made by the federal authori.
ties, net to exceed so million.
i "We have learned how to spend
money on war. Let US learn how tc
spend it on peace. The backbone OF
the country is its highways. There
will be at least two million Amer.
cans who come back from England
and France as enthusiastic boosters
for good roads.
j Never again will a returned sol
der, who has seen all the traffic oil
an immense army safely pass over
country roads in the darkness of the
night, be content with the treacherous
and impossible mud roads in his owr
great country. The French road.
are hard roads. They bear the heavy
transport trucks and the heavy can.
non by the thousands better than most
of our country roads at their best are
hauling few loads of grain to mar.
ket.