The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-09-28
TIE ROAD BOND T

yylIiILE the majority in favor Of the constitutional amendment
~ not be as large as earlier returns indicated, it is still > sub
stsnini victory for The advocates Of that %essure i y = victory
those who led in advocacy Of the bond issue, This responsibility,
obviously, is 10 so guide the expenditure of this fund which the
next generation Of taxpayers must pay. as 10 insure those who will
pay a definite benefit from the inyestmeat.
Tie Herald opposed the road bond amendment because we be-
reved that IL ulaead an undue strain upon the states finances. and
because We believed that the federal aid anotments to this state could
been wrong about II Now that the obligation has been authorized
b ,s T. ,as .S psspls y " a nss, ' sse We ss. we're eo waSps t SSo9 Sea IT, tb Me n with T lno~.
During the period Of expenditure of this and other available road
building funds II will be necessary TO develop something more than
q system Of economical road building. There must also be developed
an efficient system Of road maintenance; else all of the pubie's in
vestneht in highways must be lost. with only Temporary benefits to
alleviate the loss. Such a result would, Of course, be a blow to the
cause Of highway building, as well as a financial loss to the taxpayers
The victory for the road bond amendment was due mainly to
the foreeiul, vigorous presentation Of the ease in its favor by Officers
convinced Of its necessity The sincerity behind their campaign was
is practically unanimous in the desire for good roads. It appealed, for
instance, to the membership Of the New Mexico Automobile assoeia.
Of the bond issue and who undoubtedly swung some doubtful counties
in its favor.
mission, acquires a responsibility a IS a part Of the victory it helped
10 win This is the responsibility TO exercise, not only in the iminedt
ate present, but during the next several years, AN alert interest in
the states highway policy and management and to aid vigorously and
way maintenance, continued centering Of authority in a policy of
centralized state control Of highway expenditures. and for the main
The efficiency and mselhsh public spirit of the present state
highway commissioners have not been questioned and are not open to
question. They are earnest and successful workers in the cause OF
good roads Their effort is 70 speed up the construction TFogran and
10 make the road money do the maximum II construction work. They
are not responsible for delays that have occurred in putting federal
aid projects into effect or for the red tape that has surrounded GER
tain aspects Of the work any more than they are responsible for the
relatively high construction costs Of the past few years Of high labor
and costly materials; costs that are now fortunately being lowered
very rapidly. A great deal of pioneering work had 10 be done. This
work the present highway commission has been doing very effectively.
It's results will show in the immediate future.
Unfortunately the present highway commission and official per
sonnel is not permanent. II is subject to change with political changes
in the state government. IL is in connection with suvh changes as may
occur that an organization like the New Mexico Automobile associa-
fiun can perform important public service. Its membership is non
partisan and statewide. 1t should not be subject 10 partisan influence
or control or 10 the Influence Of sectional interests. Its influence
should be wholesome in seeking naintainenee Of a firm, constructive
state highway policy and in demanding the highest standards in its
execution. To that end an organization Of this kind, If properly and
nnselfishly managed, should attract and hold the membership of every
automobile owner in the state
In the long run the automobile owner derives no more benefit
from good roads than any other citizen The spread Of the benefit
is all embracing. But the autombile owner is first 10 benefit by a
wise highway policy aud first 20 suffer from an unwse one.
II lis leadership and management is non partisan and statewide
non sectional and unselfsh in is vision, such an organization AS the
New Mexico Automobile association can perform a great public ser
vice. Violating any Of these essentials Of real usefulness such AN
organization would not survive more than one campaign period in
which its powers were misnsed.