Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1919 — DEMOCRATIC ROAD LAWS [ARTICLE]

DEMOCRATIC ROAD LAWS

<t was Democratic legislation that brought to fulfillment the national demand for good roads. The success of that legislation in realizing the wishes of the country is exemplified by statistics covering the period from 1913, the beginning of President Wilson’s first term, to September 1, 1919. In the six years there were constructed imore than 15,004) miles of almost perfect highways. But for the assistance given by the federal government, the several states would have been unable or unwilling to bear the whole cost of these improvements. But for Democratic laws no federal aid would have been forthcoming. The government is now matching witn funds from the federal treasury every dollar that any of the states devotes to the building of Its roads. In addition to the millions that have beew voted for this purpose by Democratic congresses, it is proposed to appropriate $400,000,000 to continue the work after 1921. Senator Sheppard, a Democrat, Is the author v of this proposal. \The Whole trend and tenor of Republican legislation in the past has been in favor of special private interests which wanted, immunities and subsidies and privileges at the expense of tfie masses. There is no better Illustration of the spirit and purpose of Democratic law-making than that manifested in this roads legislation, which brought benefits to every section and class of the country. a