The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-05-04
Agreeing Against Carlyon Bill

While differing on many of the public questions. the
republicans and democrats Of this state rs expressed by
their conventions are practically in agreement on te
Carlyon S30,000000. road bond proposition Neither party
II wants to sponsor the measure and go oeiore
the people for approval.
At Belingham the attempt to secure fer ndorse-
ment was shorved II died before it even reached the
convention floor The platform committee, being warned
that fight would be made the Carlyon BILL determined
that wisdom demanded it should be omitted without iuf
Their ado.
And in Seattle Saturday. the democrats went step far
ther They not only refused to approve the ne %
resolution condemning the Caryon bill plain and specific
1t reads follows
In his last message the legislature Governor Lister
with an unequaled experience and information in the mat
ter of state highway development demonstrated that the
bonding scheme las contemplated by the Caryon bil)
was unnecessary and wasteful and would not advance
the construction of good roads as well as the proven pay
go policy. Notwithstanding his urgent recon-
mendation against the plan. the republican legislature
enacted law providing for S30O0o0Oo state bonds
thereby binding s12oooooo interest charges ON an
ronclad 20-year schedule. mortgagng all motor We
hice license for that period and obgang state
taxation to whatever additional extent may prove neces
sary--and all for what?
he additional expenditure Of 100000 per year for
the ensuing six years fixed schedule of highways
named in the BILL prescribed class OF construction pre
dcay limited to single type without chance for COM
petition and consequent compulsion to highest monopoly
costs authorization for unlimited purchases OF con
struction machinery plants and materials and backing Oh
contractors from public funds yet without line OF au
thorty permitting the state to do any of the work by
direct administration and day labor; discriminating
Joker provision for rebates to few favored counties
for previous construction of OF the sched
uIed roads, while denying similar compensation to other
counties which have made larger permanent highway
contributions.
These detail inquties of the bonding suf
cen identify its origin and condemn the scheme, but
there is also the underlying fact that the people OF the
state of Washington already providing fully SS0OoOoo
annually for permanent highway construction from cur
rent taxes motor vehicle county bond
to which at least So 900 federal aid is being added
altogether assuring at least s0000000 annually for pera
nent highways for indefinite future period
This amount is already proven to be beyond available
construction capacity and resulting in gutted contract
market with increasing contract prices and leaving large
amounts of collected funds lying unused in the public
treasury Under such conditions the ncurence OF 100000
600 debt and the 20year obligation to S2000000 interest
becomes monumental waste
Fortunately, the people have the last word at the No
vember referendum. We recommend that they confirm
the wise and prudent counsel of Governor Lister and reject
this huge proposal of public plumber for special interests
viii be saved by defeating this bonding scheme
will than the 81 100000 which will be required
to pay the soldiers compensation The republican legs
lature of 1919 hurried the and buried the other
with impending campaign and the need of a parti-
bid for the soldier VOTE the extra session resurreted
the soldiers compensation act but refused TO make the
fund available a an immediate emergency passing it
to the peoples vote in November. We urge that the
voters avail themselves Of the double opportunity to pay
the just soldiers compensation delayed by republican
tcal cowardce and the S1200000o interest waste
by defeating the $4,000. 600 road bond scheme"
It is not necessary to subscribe to party preudces to
recognize the truth of the argument against the Caryon
bill As matter of fact il party blame is to be attached
the democratic members have something to for too
But parties asde-and regardless of partythe Carlyon
bill must stand fall its merits faults And
the county convention, in its platform sets out
mighty strong arguments for its rejection.
Tr:ob in The E;p1 dem