The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-10-22
TIE BOND ISSUE,
BUT SAVE TIL ROADS

IN THE current issue of the Silver City Independent Cdemocratic)
is a vigorous argument against adoption of the proposed $4,000 600
ton The Evening Herald heartily concurs in this position. We be-
|licvc it is the attitude of "A large majority of the people and that thc
bond issue will be defeated.
The independent goes on to state that
at is possible to take advantage of the entire federal aid
appropriation for this state by continuing the present 3mil
levy into 1922 and thus get our federal aid quota on a pay as
you go basis
This also, is the Heralds view of the matter. We should like to
point out, however, that the possibility of thus taking advantage of
the entire federal aid appropriation for this state, amounting to sew
eral millions of dollars in perfectly good money, is contingent abso-
iutcly upon the election of a republican governor and II republican
Legislature.
We do not know that the publisher of the Independent, the cdi.
tors of other democratic newspapers, or Mr.. Selgman's press bureau
have read the platform Of the democratic party adopted at Las Vegas
If they have read it they have overlooked the plank dealing with high
way building and maintenance becdusc they have said absolutely
necessary that we elect a republican governor and Legislature, if we
are to enjoy any further use of road building funds from the United
States treasury. This plank in the democratic platform is as follows
1--WE FAVOR THE REPEAL OF THE LAWS GRE.
ATlNG AND MAINTAINING THE STATE ROAD BOARD
FOR OF sT4TtjTEs REsTo OR TO Td THE sEvERHL
COUNTIES THE MAINTENANCE OF ROADS WITHIN
THEIR LIMITS"
The essential requirement for obtaining federal aid road funds is
that they be expended through a state highway board or department.
The democratic platform pledges the democratic candidates for
governor and legislature to destroy the state highway department
Should Mr.. Hanna and a democratic legislature be elected, the legis-
latrre, in line with this pledge, would junk the state highway commits
months of 1921 and the entire 1922 federal aid road building program
to be abandoned, with the consequent abandonment OF all the federal
aid funds now assured for use during that period.
The people of New Mexico should remember that the state high
way commission has completed and secured approval 81 estimates for
federal aid roads to the number of sixty wo and that these sxtytwo
projects cross or enter every county in the state brt three. Those
three will be reached by projects to he proposed ard for which federal
aid funds are, available, IL the 3mill road levy should Nc continued
into 1929. Thus it is clear that the democratic proposal, reduced to
plain terms, is that New Mexico elect a governor and legislature
pledged to abandon this entire program, sacrifice the funds available
and at the same time sacrifice any possibility of building through
roads with state funds, by destroying the centralized management
which alone can build such roads. II
This democratic program is just what the republican state plat
form describes it, a reaetonary proposal. 1t will return New Mex
leo TO the disastrousy wasteful county road board system, at best
and TO the precinct road boss system at the worst, 1t absolutely
means an end to intelligent, efficient road building and it would end
such building just at a time when a great, statewide system Of con.
struction of permanent highways is well under way, OF which the
state is paying only half the cost.
The republican candidates for governor and legislature are pledg
ed to maintain the state highway commission, to continue and in
crease its efficiency and the scope OF its operations, to take advantage
lOf every dollar of federal aid road funds that can be made availab,
without overburdening taxpayers or straining the credit of the state
and to return to every county in actual, modern, permanent road con
struction, every dollar of road tax money raised in such county.
The democratic policy is dangerous to the progress and prosper
lily of New Mexico. Put in effect it would end tourist traffic abso
llutely. II would restrict the usefulness OF more than 10000 automo
bles and trucks owned by New Mexico citizens, to the streets of town,
and villages. Il would make wagon hauling infinitely more costly in
time and money for farmers and stOckmen. Ii would mark this state
Throughout the nation, as a state headed backward to the dark ages
The only other policy proposed by democrats in this campaign
ed, reacdonary and dangerous, is the policy that prompts them t
seek to restore Frank Hubben to control of the Bernalllo county gov
eminent, rs a stepping stone TO his restoration to a position of inhu
IanAa 80 aA.laN.A 49, Al -N-NA -L-II n H. 4