The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-28
MIR. ROGERS HIGHWAY RECORD

I
 It is very apparent that the first thought of Chairman Rogers of the highway commis- sion, in defense of the paucity of highway
 result shown under his administration, is to resort to political expedients. The first evil dence of this was in the peculiarly timely resolution of the Greene county commission CTS in criticism of The Age-Herald and in approval of the indefensible Gainesville de- tour on the main trunk highway through that county. Next was the commissioners ex parte circularizing of members of the state legislature. All this may be good political strategy, but-it will not build roads for Alabama.
 It is noted from the statement of Assistant Engineer McCalla that the stress of the in- dorsement of the Gainesville detour is not based on any engineering principle. There is nothing in the engineers report that would indicate that he is an engineer instead of being thermometer of local opinion. The indications are that even local public opinion has not been correctly ascertained, for The Age-Herald has printed many reliable com. munications revealing strong public senti- ment against the Gainesville detour. Thus, even locally, there is at least an equal if not greater sentiment against the detour. Inas- much as the detour is also against the prin- ciples of economy, is off of the federal-aid map, strikes directly at the convenience of the greater travelling public, and represents an excess mileage that must be constructed at the expense of other counties, there ap- pears to be no defense for it whatever, ex- cept the determination of Mir. Rogers to build it. The assertion of the county com missioners that MT. Rogers has not been per. sonally active in causing this detour to be adopted is not supported by the record. The county commissioners quite naturally want to see the state construct difficult roundabout mileage that the county itself should con- struct.
 Mir. Rogers, however, has far more than the Gainesville detour to defend. He has to defend his entire connection with the high way department. He has to defend his ap. proval of the Shelby county construction, the states most outstanding highway folly to date. He has to defend the record of his condemned when it legislated him and his associates out of office. Undoubtedly Mir. Rogers thought his record had executive i'm dorsement when he was promptly reinstated kr- T.,A AA.A Ix.. so much constitute an indorsement of Mir. Rogers as involves the governor in the just criticism that is directed to the state high way folly. The governor also, by his decision to approve or not to approve the Gainesville detour, will still further reveal his attitude towards the highway welfare of Alabama.
 What is the record of Alabama under Mfr. Rogers leaderships With financial appro- priation that has furnished good opportunity for highway progress, Alabama has been all lowed to occupy the position of thirtieth state in point of highway development. Ala bama's record for 1923 shows only eighteen miles above mere hard-surfacing for the en- tire state. No state engaged in statewide program has shown a poorer record. Most states have shown a far better record In maintenance, also, which is, by highway statute and engineering judgment, given equal, rank with construction, the state under Chairman Rogers leadership has made most lamentable showing. Let the people accept Senator Rogers challenge and search diligent. ly his highway record
 Latest in that record is Mir. Rogers effort to defeat the determination of the people of Tuscaloosa county to have the most efficient and economical type of paving, and without apparent authority of the highway commission. he puts that county on notice that he opposes highway efficiency. The people of Tusca- loosa can return only one answer to the type of autocracy Mir. Rogers seeks to inn pose upon the. free people of that free com munity. - '