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Show GOOD ROADS. j Governor GiBctefs Address Beflorc 1 the California Good Road's As- 1 yiw wnimn-lnriiiiiaQciation - 1 I " 1" I The question of good'roads for' over 82,500 years has been an .important lone with the mot progressive nations. Carthage, at one time the foremost commercial people of the world, knowing the advantages of good roads in the development of a country's resources, built many excellent highways, high-ways, and to these highways, which tenable its people to get their products pro-ducts to the sea, was largely due its prosperity and the important posi-ftion posi-ftion which it heftl. Rome, following the example set by the Cartlraguuans built many excellent highways, some of which, being over 2,000 years old, are in good condition today. In the ancient times all roads led to Rome, and it became the great city of the world. Other European nations, ho-tably ho-tably France, have Jong known the value and importance of good roads and have constructed them. Many were built for military purposes, while others were built to improve the interior in-terior of the state and to provide the best mean ... transportation to those living in the rural districts, who brought their products to the great icommcrcial and manufacturing ccn-gters. ccn-gters. I The advantages of good roads to France cannot be estimated. With-font With-font them it would not today be hold-ling hold-ling the position that it docs in the ?WPjiUlpiandiw.ouldnoUbccnjoyingthepi great prosperity wvitli which it is blessed. Good Roads t Agitation. J For a number of years, the question lof good roads bas been agitated in fo cvery state in the union, anti'notlQn.g- I or is argument needed to convinQeariy Jjoncof their necessity. No one doubts I the poti.cy of constructing the very IrtSMlifchw-ays. The italionttl goveffl-s mont, realizing the vast importance of it, has established a bureau of high ways, connected with the agricultural department,- and has placed trained mon therein to study the best methods meth-ods of road construction. These trained and experienced mon are sont all ovor the country to instruct the pcopio how to build good roads and to advise them of the best material to be uaod in their locality. So 1 say that the time for opnvinoing the- poo- jlc'oftliciTcGeSsityf "gdbd' roads I has passed; they are convinced. What I I is-rilcedcd now is action and the pro- j viding' of ways and means with which I to carry on a proper system of good road building. I know of no state in the union that wouM derive greater great-er benefits from good highways, prop crly constructed, than California; I know of no state in the union where a better system can be adopted than here in our own state, "and I know of no place that has greater need of such .ways t'han?'biirS.' Wca'll agree that 'these highways should be built, and H wc may reasonably differ as to the B methods to be used in raising the money for that" purpose. ; State Highways Needed. I have my own views on the subject, sub-ject, yet I am willing to put them aside for any plan which may be prov en to be a better 011c, and am ready to support any movement which w:ll . give the state the best results. Wc should have, in my opinion, a system j of state highways running through j our great valleys to Los Angeles and I on to its neighboring cities and along our coast from San Diego to the far north. The system would connect, with a splendid highway, all the inv- portant counties and localities in our j state. The question arises, how shall thii system bo built, and at whose expense? ex-pense? Shall the state build it, or shall it be constructed by the sevcra' counties through which it passes? Shall the state be bonded to build it, or shall it be built by direct taxation? If the building is left to the coun ftics, many obstacles and difficulties fwill arise. Some counties can afford kQ,Jjml.,aUiexs.,jnayficci; too poor. Some may decide vo build, others may decide not to. The road will not be of uniform construction, and in places might not bo prppcily maintained. Therefore, thci'c is no assurance that the road would ever be completed, or that it would prove satisfactory when .finished. And again, the road migh Inot follow t,ho best p.nd most direc: 1 ?routc, as the board of supervisors of I each .county, through which it passes may Jiave some reason In (placing it somewhere else, 1 Would Issue Bonds. I bolievo that the best results can ."bo- dbteincd by having this system built by the state through a comimis-jsian comimis-jsian (Of 'highways.; ..I. would favor for for $18,000,000. For this amount, I am informed by competent engineers and road builders, we- can construct 3,000 miles of the very best macadamized macadam-ized road known. This road would give us the system of highways referred re-ferred to and would forever settle the question of good roads in California. Inasmuch as the particular counties through which this highway would pass would receive the greatest bene-1 bene-1 fit, I would suggest that the law be so drawn that the principal .be paid by the state and that each county pay interest on the amount of money acr- J natty invcsted in constructing the highway within tits Boundaries, until the bonded debt has been paid. Each county, after the road has been constructed, con-structed, should keep it in proper repair, re-pair, and in order that such repairs should not be neglected they should bo under the supervision of the state highway commission. Our slate is a wealthy one. It is practically out of debt and is growing rapidly in both population and wealth. The tax pay- , crs would never know that a bonded I indebtedness existed, and the benefit derived from these good roads would be far in excess of what they actually cost. -1 - mi -- 1 1 11 11 n 1 ! 1 PI iw 1 Es imnossib?cvto ,cstimatcthc uencnts antf advantages that wquU inure to this state if such a ystcm was built. We arc a fruit producing state, vineyards and orchards arc rap idly covering our valleys and hillsides. This fruit must be carried to market or to railroads and navigable stream 1 If it is,,transportcd over good sinoDth roads, free from dust, it roaches the market in good condition; if it is to be transported over rough roads it reaches the market and depreciated in value. And lit is very important 111 moving the products of our farms, vineyards and orchards whether oije ton can be transported over the rotul or whether two tons can be carried. The property in the vicinity of such a state highway would be enhanced in value, thereby greatly adding to our taxable property. Would Show State's Wonders. No state, and perhaps no country, offers the inducements for outdoor pleasures like California. Our climate is most pleasant and our scenery is attractive. Hundreds of people that now go to France and Switzerland for pleasure would gladly come here if any inducements were offered. A fine highway, 3000 miles long, cours iriffttliroughjr oui; valleys, Ira verging iSffiwmoimtains and Tunning along our goast, would invite many pcpplc to' visit our .state for pleasure and sightseeing, sight-seeing, and would induce many of our own citizens to become better acquainted ac-quainted with the tutural rcsourcos and possibilities of our stale. People arc persuaded to settle in u locuhiy and invest money there by seeing it, and what we want is ihc people Of our country to sec our wonderful state with its broad valleys, rich soil, warm sunshine and great resources. Nothing can advertise our state equal to good roads, and the construction of a system by the state would be an incentive to every community to build better highways connecting with it. This is not a question as to whether aulomobilists wou?d be pleased, or whether any individual or class would receive a direct benefit, but it is u broader question, as it goes to the future prosperity of the state and th; development.' of our resources. The question of bonding the state would have to be left to the people at an election, and they can be trusted to do what is right when it affects the whole interests of the stale. I believe the sentiment of this state is strongly nvor of good roads And I tnur H mac thc,promotion committee and the' H other clvic bodies of the state will H lend tjie$ivccjnntg their assistance. H |
