Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1916 — HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

Because it has no highway department Indiana will not necessarily be deprived of its share in the first year's appropriations Ihe law has taken into account this deficiency—which exists in many states -and provides that allotments for this year may be obtained within the next three three years, or until the next session of the legislature. If the state assembly should decline to establish a highway department then participation in the future becomes impossible. In some states, such as Illinois, there are constitutional obstacles in the way of state co-operation. The law therefore provides that appropriations may become available to such counties as contribute and as are willing to maintain a standard of material and repair. This situation ought to be changed. While Indiana lacks a highway department there are no legal obstructions in the way of obtaining such an Improvement to state’s government. Both the Republican and Democratic parties are in general favor of the idea. - The governor is ■interested in the movement, and he has shown liis impartiality by indorsing principles supported by road' i$ vestigators of opposite political faith. Road improvement, of course, should not be a matter of politics. That is what is the matter with our roads today. By taking the roads out of politics and keeping them out Indiana may hope to build up a fine system. Notwithstanding abuses in the past it has already a fair start.

The saving feature of the federal law Is that which requires states to contribute dollar for dollar. .Thus Indiana, if it qualities this year, must provide $135,747, or an amount equal to the sum apportioned by the secretary of agriculture. The $270,000 thus obtained represents only a

small portion of each year’s road expenses in this state, but if it is properly administered-, if a nonpolitical and competent highway engineer controls it, the fund will produce good results. M;uch depends on what use the states make of the first allotments. This should be an incentive to Indiana to go ahead and do the best it can under the circumstances.—ln dian apolis News,