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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 1916)
THE DAILY CAPITAL JOURNAL, SALEM, OREGON, SATURDAY, SEPT. 2, 1916. ( ' " ' (m 'l 7Wi i n iu ii r y u I, iv ii - . AtJ Percy osodkl twusr kewe U W&y, In k&d V boss k'tv5 ov ke woulc!t ply How v"y Ni Pevcy 64 o.vstk k'rt-4, I . Uuy ww y-r sT .4 QW-1 ry lib iti f ,'ljv .1 av. Poor FeTcy wesV ;cilicf clot u, Ti rsvl Oo AVxy 5le ksfeJ wifka.ll of kev m&M Foox Fes-cy vytki kviUA fty t Vvctce r " i ii i i - i. 1 1 i . 41 .W AJ wkc kc s-Vxlr5 Woke uxd fkg k-k d!JrJ fly. Secretary of Agriculture Talks of Federal Road Act Wnsliiiijrton, ('., Sopt. . At a meeting ( ti,,. sinie liiuhwny offirinls hold August 111. lit III, in WualiiugMn. ' to dicMia teutativo rulcn au.i regnla lioim for carrvitij; out the rVdcral aid road art, the wvretury of iiKriiulturi' made, tli followinj; statement: 'The I'Vilerul aiil rrnl act hii,1 an other law the ooiiierutive agrivulturnl ratriiHinu nt't that the tlepHrttient is charged with the duty of ent'ureing, eatalpliah n new irieiple in American Koveriimcnt, the principle of ooporea tiuo between lVdernl and State offi cer. They are the only laws f recall which recogni.e and insist upon thin principle. They nrp therefore very nignificant. Heretofore Federal and Stnto officer have too frequently loohed nt one anoiner across the line, loinotiiuin with apprehension ns to what the other was going to do or think, sometimes with jealousy, not in frequently with friction. We serve thu name people. They have a right to the best nerviee of the representatives of both jurisdictions. You represent the. States. I represent the Federal Roveriunent. Together we are charged with tlie execution of a very difficult mid very important law. I "1 need not einphasi.-.e before you the importance of good rends. Most intelligent people who think about jrood roads know that they nro essen tial to comfortable living, essential to propor community development, especi lly to the development of rural life, to efficient production mid orderly marketing of farm producM, to good whools. and to the development of a Mtixfnftorv rural life. "Many people, however, do not np proeinte thia, and I have occasionally met road officers who, when the lm-1 iiortnnce of good roads was emphasized, ibvo mid: Ytv, but thev cost so much.' Apparently they have not thought how much moro bad roads cost, not only la dollars and cents, but ls in all those indirect wavs for which one can make no definite calcul ation. Large Expenditure! for Roads. 'This law appeals to me as of especial importance, not so much be muse it carries with it out of the Federal Treasury an appropriation of 85 millions of dollars, not because it will be met by an appropriation of 75 million or more out of State fuuds, if all the Slates accept the act, but be- cause as great as is the aggregate, it . is relatively insignificant in compari-. won with amounts the States are now annually expending and will spend during the period covered by the act. 'I remember thnt, on one occasion, I when I was speaking to public of ficial about the road bill and suggested that we ought to begin with the mod-. it initial appropriation of throe, four, or five) millions of dollars, h j pressed surprise and said that such an amount would not get us anywhere; that the expenditure by the nation of a few millions of dollars for roads would bo hum ply trifling with the mutter. I asked him if he kuew what the peoplo of the nation were con tributing aiinunlly for road building, that the nation wag already expending the equivalent of nearly half of what tho Panama canal has cost. Of course he did not. And the nfiijority of peo ple do not realize that the nation is expending approximately ir-W.POO.OOO n year for roads. A Dollar's Result for Each Dollar Expended. "The main question that I am im mediately concerned with, that the people of the nation are immediaately concerned with, is whether we shall K't a dollar's result for every dollar we expend for roads. 1 am quite sure that if we do so nnd we cau convince the people that we have done so, they will be willing to put much more money into good roads where they are needed. Therefore, the matter of administering this law, of devising good road sys tems, of careful si-lection of roads, of formulating projects, of developing plans and specifications, of having all matters considered on their merit by competent men, seem to me to lie lit the root of this business. If, ns the result of this act, the people nro in duced fullv to realize the necessity of pla.inp skillful and experienced men in charge of road uilding and road maintenance, a great advance will have been made und the efforts of those who labored to secure the legis lation will have been rewarded. Employment of Experts, 'l assume, as a matter of necessity, that this law will require the employ ment iu every State of experts, of real experts. This word is very much mis used and abused, -.s the word theor ist' is. I frequently hear a contrast drawn between the theorists asd the practical men.. There is no basis for it. The classification ought to be into good theorists an bad theorists, of practical men and impractical men. A really good thoorist is highly practical: and so is a real expert. The public is somewhat suspicious of experts, be cause. I thiu(t, so many people pose as experts who are not. When the public sets an expert aside, it is worth while to inquire carefully into the expert's claims and competency. "I repeat that this act will necessi tate trained intelligence in the service of the State as well as in the service of tha Federal (lovornmeut. The act re quires the Stato to Aoeept it. That' as I understand it, implies the assent of ths State to every provision of the act. One of these provisions is that projects, plans, specifications, and con tracts shall be submitted and ap proved: and h have n suspicion that plans and specifications will not be ai proved unless they are submitted by people who know about such things. S-o the assent of the State involves the calling of trained men into the service of every stnto which is now without them. ''The law involves another thing, the jdedge of the faith of the Stnte to meet, in full the Federal appropriation for the entire peril covered by the net. The State legislature may not be able to appropriate money one year for the whole period covered by the act, but it can pledge the faith of the State to meet the finniiciul provisions of the act for the period covered by it. This is as it sohuld be. It would be un fortunate if it were otherwise. t would be wasteful not to make plans at the outset for the full period cov ered by the act; it would mean piece meal rond building and nnich dissipa tion of effort and misdirection of funds. These requirements hold wheth- I er the Stnte as such, under the exist ling law, may engage in road building j or not. The provision that where the : State may not engage in highway im I provement the mon"y may be secured if counties raise an 'amount sufficient : to meet the apportionment Jo the stnte I iuvolves the necessity on the part of I such counties of raising an nmouut suf ficient to meet the full apportionment tor tne state, the existeuce of a high way commission, and compliance with all the other terms of the act. 1 speak of this because there are evidences that individual counties think thnt. if they raise a certain sum of money, they will of necessity get a corresponding sum from the Federal Treasury. Thnt is not my construction of the net and not the one that will be likely to pre vail. ''The duty will rest upon yon gentle men who represent the States of in forming the people as to the meaning of this legislation and ns to the pro cedure under it, because the initiative under the law lies with you. We are directed to cooperate with you; with the State through the State highway department. It is your duty, if your state accepts the law. to agree with us on Toads to be constructed and to sub mit projects, plans and specifications. Therefore, individuals, associations, and counties will of necessity take up such matters directly with you. and we shall hear from them through you for the most part. Boads and Trails for the National Forests,. "There is a section of the act which contemplates only part of the country. The nation owns great areas, especial ly, in Our western states, and is acquir ing areas in certaiu others of our states. The nation owes a duty to the people living in the National' Forests or near them. Tn many instances com munities struggling for development have been compelled to rely too ex clusively for necessary improvement on taxes from private property or on private contributions. It is true that under the law we have heretofore been setting aside for road improvement 10 per cent of the gross receipts from the forests. This has been no inconsider able' sum, nearly three-quarters of a million dollars since the act was passed, and approximately $278,000 for the present fiscal year. But in some sec tions there are no receipts from the forests and communities have been left to struggle as best they could. The government in many instances is the owner of the greater part of these as sets, and it is 0nly equitable and wise that the Federal government should as sist them. So there is approprintaed by the act $10,000,000, a million a year for 10 years, for the construction of roads nnd trnils in or near the Nation al Forests, with the understanding thnt communities interested will cooperate financially and otherwise. Those of yon who represent forest stntes, as a matter of course, will think of coordi nating work under your direct state rond funds and those arising under the general provisions of the rond act with the woTk to be undertaken uuder this special appropriation. Legislation to Aid Distribution. "1 diii hopeful that great benefit will accrue to the nation from the wit and efficient administration of this act. It is one of a series of meas ures recentlv .conceived and enacted for the development of rural life. 'We began by formulating a law on similar lines, the cooperative agricultural ex tension act. We then enacted the cot ton futures law- to give the cotton farmers and dealers standards to trade on and to secure supervision of the operations on futures exchnnges. a similar law to establish standards for grains and to regulate interstate and foreign commerce in them, nnd the warehouse bill for the better storage of staple crops and for the emission of a warehouse receipt which should bo good collateral for loans. We have given an opportunity to the National banks to lend funds on farm mortgages, and have extended the period of ma turity for farm paper and adopted the Federal farm loan act. All these lie in the field of distribution as does this road act. which lies at the founda tion of satisfactory and orderly marketing. Attitude of Department of Agriculture. "T have come here today mainly to meet you and to express my apprecia tion of the very ready response you have made to the request of the de partment to give it information and the benefit of your experience in framing the rules and regulations for the administration of the federal-aid road act. I am a very great believer in co-operation, and I think one saves much trouble by beginning to cooper ate at the outset. "I appreciate the keen Interest you have shown in the shaping and devel opment of this legislation. I shall do everything in mv power to facilitate your tasks, to aid you in the discharge of them so far as the powers of the department permit, whether through this law or through the direct appro priations to the office of public roads. I ask your full, generous, and efficient cooperation. If we view matters broad ly and generously, we shall have no difficulty. I pledge that the depart ment of agriculture will approach the administration of this law iu that spirit, and will cooperate heartily with you to give the people of the nation full value for the money which they have pledged under this act." CRANKS' CONVENTION IN LOS ANGEjjES SLEEP ON HAY STACKS Bunland, Calif., Sept. 2. The queer est people in the world gathered here today to indulge in the first "Cranks' Convention ever held. Delegates were called to order by Dr. LeKoy ti. Fry of Los Augeles, wiio organized the conclave. Every crank will be given a chance to address the assemblage of "queer" delegates on thnt particular theory or subject that has made a crank of him. Scores of automobile parties motored out from Los Angeles and Pussadena to sit back as spectators, and hear the funny people talk. The convention will last several davs. No limit has been set. Accom modations were furnished by good; people of Sunlniid and Little Landers.i two communities founded ou idealistic! principles. Beneath the deep blue heavens and; stars on a generous shock of yellow hay the delegates will pass the night. The hay has been arranged in spaced! intervals. The delegates will furnish' their own fare and for those who fail ed to bring along provender, iuhabi-i tants of this narrow mountain valley, will furnish nuts harvested from the! wild iron nut tree which abounds in; the valley. The floor of the valley is! studded with millions of round boulders! washed down from rocky ravines which! view from a distance, gives the fantas-i tie impression of a huge basket of nuts! having been spilled over the, whole re giou. I Some of the more blase of the speci tators eveu went so far as to refer to. this place as "Sunny Nutland. " One of the surprises of the gather ings was tiiat cranks wheu they get to gether find they are not cranks at all. Idealists, fatalists, religionists and infidels attended in goodly number. Several models and blue prints of per petual motion mechatnisms were exhib ited. Many physical culturists and so ciologists were here to sav nothing of "unappreciated authors.' "profes sors." and prelates of peace and pre paredness. There were no women cranks al though feminine delegates were invited KILLED B7 STREET CAB SHE HAS HER POINTS Behold the old pot bellied mare Who stands besides the stack. She is not stream-lined anywhere; She has a sagging bnok. The hair is worn from her sides Where tug nnd trace have been; I'rofound disgust with life abides About the pendant chin. Her draggled fetlocks reek 'with mud iter tail is full of burrs; No pride of race or purple blood Or blue grass sires is hers. Her sturdy pasterns, chaff -bestrewn Have blemishes galore: Through -straw-filled mane the breezes croon, Each shoulder bears a sore. But she has never cast a tire; Her starter always works; Her spark plug never fails to fire; Her timer never shirks; Her oil gunge plunger never sticks; And ne'er has she. I ween. Five miles from home, or maybe six, .nun out or gasoline: txcliauge. Plan Navigable Channel From Hudson Bay to Gulf of Mexico Bemidji, Minn., Sept. 2. A naviga ble channel from Hudson Bay to tin Gulf of Mexico would put the water that covers l,2o0,000 acres of land near here in the Gulf, was planned by a com mittee meeting here today. A committee of all Minnesota devel opent association and citizens of Bel trami county, most seriously effected, met here. The proposed cost is $25, 000,000. The Mississippi river is navi igable to St. I'aul and it is planned to bring the channel of the canal to that point. The canal also would pass through, . the region of Red Lake, the InrcBst lake in the nation entirely within one" stnte. This lake gradually slones into Vast exnnnsps nl Rwnmn lani? mUUi 1 J 1LUUUI a Shore line and it is rtrimnrilv tn Aru'tn this huge territory that the canal is. proposea. niver traffic from the gulf to VHnnepeg also is to be considered. IS n u Tncoma. Wash., Sept. 1. Lester L, Bishop, aged 22. died at a local hospital : toiiny as a result of m.iunes sustained when he was knocked from his bicycle by a street car. At the time of the ac cident his father was attending a fu neral. Bishop was a student at a medical college at McMinnville. Ore. He was here earning funds to enable him to re turn to college. Ii II II II Spokane Interstate Fair Annual Grand Symposium of the Industries of the Inland Empire. Week Sept. 4 to 9 Reduced Round Trip Fares from All Willamette Valley Points on Oregon Electric Ry. $16.95 Bound Trip from Salem. Ticket sale, two days only-Sept 3 and 7. Final Beturn Limit Sept. 11. - VU the superb route of scenery m IT 1 n I n 1 and fine .ervice. -lue North Bank Road DAILY DOUBLE TRAIN SERVICE "THE INLAND EMPIRE EXPRESS TOatv '"k3 9:35, m-' dalIv U the ONLY DAYLIGHT xkain. with observation parlor care, dining cars and firstdasn Coaches between Portland and Spokane. Columbia, Snake and Spokane Bayer scenery. uua ,mZH.BANK LIMITED" leaves Portland 7:10 p. m daily, !quipmfnt of otionUlirary parlor cars, dining carV! sleeping cars and coach's. 6 t! II II II II J U I J. W. Ritchie, Agent, Salem, Oregon lj Astoria Begatu and Homecoming OelebrationT September 1-5. j 4