Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1919 — COUNTIES ON ANXIOUS SEAT [ARTICLE]

COUNTIES ON ANXIOUS SEAT

NEW ROAD LAWS CAUSE OF MUCH STIR AMONG INDIANA COUNTIES. The new road laws enacted at the recent session of the legislature have caused all counties in the state to be up and doing as all have reconized what an excellent opportunity there is provided for them to get something good in the way of roads at far better terms than under previous existing laws. The county unit road law, which is something new in road legislation, abolishes all township control of roads and places it in the hands of the county commissioners. It authorizes bond issues to pay for roads. The state hikway commission law does not provide for bond issues. The system for state highways for which it provides is to be paid out of a fund made up of inheritance tax receipts, motor vehicle license fees and the proceeds of a levy of ten cents on a hundred dollars. In addition, the state is to receive federal aid under a 50-50 plan. Materials for county roads must comply with standards set by the state highway commission. The current issue of the Kentland Eenterprise asks, "Where will the State Road be located?” A meeting was held in Newton county Monday by the board of commissioners for the purpose of discussing plans that Newton county should adopt for obtaining better roads. Of course, Kentland, like all other county seat towns, will be assured of a road connecting her with all other state county seat towns under the county seat system adopted by the state, but apparently our neighboring county is far more interested in securing for herself her proportionate share of the good roads that are to be built in 'the state rather than getting a little spur of road connecting her county seat with some other county seat. And it is only natural that she should be more interested in the latter project.

Newton county is not alone in her reasoning and as has been before stated every county in the state has awakened to the fact that if they are to receive their proportionate share of good roads under the building scheme they must watch out for their owp interests and not expect someone else to do it for them. A petition has already been Ailed A petition has already been Aled this county asking for an eighteen foot hard surface highway to extend north and south through the entire length of the county. The petition contained the names of many of the heaviest taxpayers of the county. The petition in turn goes to the state highway commission which has the power to change the proposed route if they And that by so doing better accommodations can be provided for a greater majority of the people. Providing the commission endorses the petition, Jasper county will be assured forty miles of hard surfaced highway through the county. (The proposed route as outlined in the petition asks 'that the road extend from the Benton county line, thence through Remington to Washington street in this city crossing the Monon railroad at the street just east of the depot and connecting with the Jacksoiv highway two blocks east; thence to a point one-half mile south of Kersey; thence straight west to the DeMotte stone road and thence north to the Porter county line at the Hebron bridge over the Kankakee river. It is up to the citizens of Jasper county to see that this road goes through. Other counties are wide awake and eager to grasp such opportunities. Get your shoulder behind the wheel and boost at every opportunity for this is the biggest thing in the way .of county improvement that can be offered.