anaheim-gazette 1910-10-13

$18,000,000 ROAD BONDS SHOULD BE DEFEATED MANY STRONG OBJECTIONS TO SCHEME ARE POINTED OUT No System of State Highways Perfected, and No Certainty Where Money Will Be Expended—San Francisco I, Exempted from Interest Payments, Which Will Aggregate $20,000,000—Conties Having Paved Highways up for Double Taxation—Orange County Should Vote Against Measure California Good Roads Association. Stockton, Oct. 12, 1910. Editor Gazette.—So absorbed are the electors in the pending contest for congressmen and state officers, and so many constitutional and bonding propositions are to be decided, that there is grave danger that the proposal to issue $18,000,000 in bonds to construct a state highway will not secure the attention it deserves. The California Good Roads Association, the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, and the Merchants Association of San Francisco have each care fully investigated this proposal by special committees and have declared against the state highway act for the reasons contained in the enclosed circular and for other reasons. It would seem to be the duty of the press of the state to at least give enough space to this subject to note the objections urged by those who have investigated the matter so thoroughly. It would be unwise to commit the state to so serious a burden if the plan is faulty and if better results can be secured by direct state appropriations in aid of maintaining the chief highways. law will practically sandwich into the organic law of the state a plan of state highway construction and control which is experimental in its nature and differs from the balance of the construction in the fact that it cannot be amended or repealed, because it is a constitutional provision that bonds once issued must continue to the time of their redemption under the conditions imposed by their issuance. 2. Proposed bill threatens to create a vast machine with an army of employees, with the ever present danger that it will be used for partisan purposes, notwithstanding that the people will have bonded themselves for fifty years to create it. 3. The department of engineering consists of the governor of the state and several appointees of the governor. This department is, therefore, disqualified by its partisan construction and by the many other duties and responsibilities assigned to it, to have charge of so important an undertaking as the expenditure of $18,000,000 on roads and the upkeep of thousands of miles of public highways. 4. In bonding for public improvement, the law usually does and always should specify where such improvement is to be made. In bonding the counties for permanent highways under what is known as "the Savage Act" of 1907, the highways commissions are required to report minutely what highways they propose to improve and how they design to improve them. Thus, the people vote on a definite proposition and can hold those clothed with authority to the improvement in the place and manner outlined. In the case of the proposed state highway bonds, however, the authors have seen fit to be very specific about the issuance and redemption of the bonds, and the levying of taxes for the work, and very indefinite as to where the state highways It would seem to be the duty of the press of the state to at least give enough space to this subject to note the objections urged by those who have investigated the matter so thoroughly. It would be unwise to commit the state to so serious a burden if the plan is faulty and if better results can be secured by direct state appropriations in aid of maintaining the chief highways. The recent supervisors state convention declared in favor of a state highway commission and the California good roads association advocates a state commission and contends that annual aid from the state amounting to less than half the annual interest on the proposed bonds, if applied to maintenance of well constructed connecting highways in the various counties, will secure better results at far less cost. Respectfully yours, J. M. EDDY, Secretary California Good Roads Association. The State Highway Bonding Act Board of Directors, California Good Roads Association. Gentlemen—Assuming that the members of this association are agreed that the present laws of the state of California, which affect to provide for the construction, repair, maintenance and protection of the public highways outside the limits of incorporated cities and towns, are effective in securing satisfactory or uniform results, and presuming that the directors of this association are convinced that the methods of administration are largely at fault, it seems incumbent on this association to inquire into the operation of the various systems recently organized in other states, and to try to secure for the state of California a highway system that shall not only compare favorably with those put in operation in the most progressive of the eastern states, but also supply the special and peculiar needs of California with its vast extent and varied topography, climate and soil, and its unusual conditions of life. In making this inquiry, it is natural that the association should first examine the enactment of the legislature of California approved by the governor March 22, 1909, and now is pending for a decision of its merits by a vote of the people next November. This act provides for the issuance of $18,000,000 in state bonds for the purpose of raising funds to cre- 5. The sum of $18,000,000 while entirely inadequate to construct permanent and satisfactory roadways for the use of modern vehicles and connect the different county seats in California, is yet too large a sum to entrust to any authority to expend without determining in advance the character of the work by a careful engineering examination, and by fully testing the fitness of those to have charge of the expenditures. 6. There is no provision in the law for compensating those counties which have through progress and enterprise created vast county indebtedness to construct permanent thoroughfares, which the state may proceed under the proposed law to appropriate. 7. The proposed system of state highways, so far as outlined in the proposed law, parallels the waterways and railroads, and therefore must be designed either to compete with these chief factors of traffic, or else to accommodate a kind of traffic which can not adjudust itself to rail or water. If the design were to aid in the transportation of farm crops (the chief function of country roads) the state highways would naturally traverse the agricultural sections at rightangles to rail and waterway lines, thus feeding the great arteries of commerce. 8. The imposition of such a tax on the state without some specific provision exempting from its provisions those counties which have already bonded themselves for good roads would be unfair, unjust and inequitable. 9. The provisions for assessing the interest on the bonds, to the several counties through which the highways are constructed, is doubtful in law, unjust, at variance with policy of the rest of the bill, and bound to create endless trouble in its enforcement. Whatever specious arguments may be used to secure an interpretation of the constitution to permit the state to bonds, while ever state sustains su- I fully agree that the larger city cost of constrainance of country traffic, especially for thoroughfare; the constitutional legislature; ourselves, to devise creating a public ordering to be unions, yet exempt wealthiest commons from the larger price such indebtedness come valid state pal assumes to be state while they lie a lien on a fr-Whether or not able to secure a station in time to system of highway mature, the equity never be adjusted a highway law to community in this just share of the 10. The proposely drawn, in society, and in manure as to invite litigation. The woes respecting mainteance of the act is a s-This clause reading herein containthe state to mainong or on said rhe completion opermion improv- and peculiar needs of California with its vast extent and varied topography, climate and soil, and its unusual conditions of life. In making this inquiry, it is natural that the association should first examine the enactment of the legislation of California approved by the governor March 22, 1909, and now is pending for a decision of its merits by a vote of the people next November. This act provides for the issuance of $18,000,000 in state bonds for the purpose of raising funds to create a system of state highways. If the proposed bonding enactment promises economical expenditure of $18,000,000 for permanent highways where most needed, if it provides a correction of the administrative methods by which so many millions of highway funds have been expended without apparent betterment of highway conditions, and if it provided with the necessary safeguards to render the highway administration non-partisan, elastic, broad, progressive and educational, then it should have the approval and support of the California good roads association. The proposed highway bonding act has been before the people now just thirteen months, and it is certainly time the voters were made acquainted with its provisions. I have examined the bill many times, and have earnestly tried to persuade myself that it might be made the germ of an efficient state highway administration. But each examination has disclosed to me additional defects, which, in case the measure be approved by popular vote, can not be remedied until the bonds have matured and been redeemed. Vital Faults of the Bonding Act 1. The adoption of the bonding would be unfair, unjust and inequitable. 9. The provisions for assessing the interest on the bonds, to the several counties through which the highways are constructed, is doubtful in law, unjust, at variance with policy of the rest of the bill, and bound to create endless trouble in its enforcement. Whatever specious arguments may be used to secure an interpretation of the constitution to permit the state to assess interest on a county for an indebtedness such county does not want or need, it will require a new set of decisions to create uniformity and harmony in a bond issue wherein it is proposed to redeem the principal of the bonds by one kind of a tax levy (the state at large) and to pay the interest on those bonds by another kind of a tax levy—a special levy in the counties through which the department of engineering secures or forces a right of way. Perhaps it may not have occurred to the authors of this project that if the interest provision of the measure is enforceable, it is possible to tax every county of the state for fifty years' interest, except the county of San Francisco, from which, by the terms of the act itself, the authorities are estopped from constructing roadways. The other counties of the state may be called upon in fifty years to pay over $20,000,000 in interest on these bonds, besides their share of the $18,000,000 principal. But the city and county of San Francisco—the richest municipality of the state, the center of the automobile trade—through the extreme cunning of the act's construction, is exempt from any interest burden on the bonded themselves for good roads would be unfair, unjust and inequitable. 10. The proposed bonding act drawn in so thoroughly and in so secure as to invite litigation. The word respecting maintaining of the act is a slogan. This clause reading herein contains the state to maintain or on said rule the completion of permanent improvement by this act." If that clause proved highway bonding county is to be whole alleged "so then it alone shall kill the entireance is the most any state scheme anything else, that stated and ought law. 11. There is proposed highway public sentiment better methods construction and no opening of the county highway useful thoroughfare people. 12. It lodges department already many responsibilities is virtually impossible to give their excuse even necessary matters. 13. It would easily usurp powers local communities and introduce a ANAHEIM GAZETTE HOLBROOK & ROSSELL SECOND SENSATIONAL TIME MONEY SAVING NOW IN FULL BREAK A Whirlwind Campaign was inaugurated, Wednesday, those needing Fancy China, Glassware, Agateware, W Hardware and Paints. Right now or at any time, at ANNIVERSARY OF OUR FIRST Right now our stock of Merchandise is beyond doubt the strongest collection ever time. There must be a reason for every act, and this is our reason: Eight month tire stock. You know the results. The most enormous ten days' business ever lowing that advertisement. The policy of this store is to surpass last sales record required months of preparation, and we have assembled new lines of goods for e prices that will prove a revelation to the entire shopping community. Make up us and see what a wonderful saving this great Money Tell Everybody! HOLBROOK & Tell Everybody! Look for the Blue and White Signs HOLBROOK & (V. A. HOLBROOK, Successor) ANAHEIM, Sale Being Conducted by Clifford J. Halpern Sales Co. bonds, while every other city in the state sustains such a proportion of the interest burden as the county in which such city is situated shares in the supposed benefits or mileage-cost of the state system. I fully agree with the principle that the larger cities should share in the cost of construction and maintenance of country highways for modern traffic, especially for roads designed for thoroughfare traffic. But I deny the constitutional power or right of the legislature, or the people themselves, to devise and enforce a law creating a public indebtedness purporting to be uniform in its provisions, yet exempting the largest and wealthiest community in the state from the larger part of the burden of such indebtedness. Will these become valid state bonds if the principal assumes to be a lien on the whole state while the interest is confessedly a lien on a fraction of the state? Whether or not the lawyers will be able to secure a solution of this question in time to construct the "state system of highways" before the bonds mature, the equities of the case will never be adjusted until we are given a highway law through which every community in the state bears its just share of the tax burden. 10. The proposed act is very loosely drawn, in some parts contradictory, and in many portions so obscure as to invite controversy and litigation. The wording of the clause respecting maintenance in section 8 of the act is a sample of the latter. This clause reads: "Provided nothing herein contained shall require the state to maintain any highway along or on said right of way, prior to the completion or acquisition of the permanent improvements contemplated in a commonwealth where political power is already too centralized for safe and efficient government. 14. It is a step backward into the very errors committed by other states, which they have recently repudiated. And it is a peculiar commentary on current political thought and effort in administration circles in California that this dangerous and costly scheme for irrepealable bonds should be launched by the highest authority in the state, at a time when all the tendencies of efficient municipal and popular government in America are toward the commission plan, with specialized responsibility, instead of sweeping centralization. Commission of Five Men Recommended If the California Good Roads Association desires to perform a lasting service to the state, it will not only oppose by every honorable means the adoption of the bonding law, but will formulate a broad and comprehensive system for the state supervision of highways, for state aid in maintaining the principal highways when once properly constructed, and providing for an efficient administration of state highway matters through a commission of five business men, who will give their undivided attention to the work for which they should be paid an adequate salary. I say a commission of five men instead of three, because of the great extent of the state and of the great diversity of conditions. New York's new law for highway administration, adopted in 1908 provides a commission of three men, but also provides for two deputy commissioners. Moreover, it has instituted the following hurries: and to persist in creating public sentiment against the act until the day of election, by pointing out its errors, weaknesses and dangers. I also recommend that this board authorize the appointment of three of its members to draw up and perfect a plan for a state highway system which shall be reported back to an adjourned meeting of this board at an early day. And when such plan has been accepted by this board, that a vigorous campaign be organized to have it adopted by the legislature which meets next January. Respectfully submitted. J. M. EDDY, Secretary. CURING BAD MANNERS One Fond Mamma Always Played They Had Company "After a long illness in the hospital, I returned home to find that my children's table manners had suffered a complete demoralization," says Woman's Home Companion. "They gobbled, used knife and fork indiscriminately and always awkwardly, regarded their spoons as shovels and, in short, were perfect little savages." In order to remedy this quickly I started a series of company luncheons at which I was the hostess and the children the guests. I set the table as prettily as possible and made funny little place cards. The children played up delightedly, took grown-up names and even washed their hands without a murmur. We made a set simple rules. The guests who behaved perfectly received three pieces of candy, the guests who made only one mistake received one piece of candy, while any unfortunate guest who committed three breaches of table eti- 10. The proposed act is very loosely drawn, in some parts contradictory, and in many portions so obscure as to invite controversy and litigation. The wording of the clause respecting maintenance in section 8 of the act is a sample of the latter. This clause reads: "Provided nothing herein contained shall require the state to maintain any highway along or on said right of way, prior to the completion or acquisition of the permanent improvements contemplated by this act." If that clause means that no improved highway taken over from the county is to be maintained until the whole alleged "system" is completed then it alone should condemn and kill the entire project, for maintenance is the most important part of any state scheme. But if it means anything else, then it is improperly stated and ought not to be in the law. 11. There is no provision in the proposed highway law for educating public sentiment in the direction of better methods of road administration, construction and maintenance, and no opening for state supervision of the county highways, the really useful thoroughfares for the common people. 12. It lodges authority in a department already clothed with too many responsibilities, and in which it is virtually impossible for the chiefs to give their exclusive attention, or even necessary attention, to highway matters. 13. It would abridge, if not actually usurp, powers reserved to the local communities by the constitution and introduce a dangerous factor of commission of five business men who will give their undivided attention to the work for which they should be paid an adequate salary. I say a commission of five men instead of three, because of the great extent of the state and of the great diversity of conditions. New York's new law for highway administration, adopted in 1908 provides a commission of three men, but also provides for two deputy commissioners. Moreover, it has instituted the following bureaus: 1. Bureau for the maintenance and repair of state and county highways. 2. Bureau for the supervision of town highways. 3. Bureau of audit and finance. 4. Bureau of plans and surveys. 5. Bureau of research. The commission has furthermore partitioned the state into six divisions, to facilitate administration, and placed a division engineer in charge. The actual cost of administration in 1909, exclusive of engineering and supervisory expenses, was $103,262.46; and such administration was worth many times its cost, for it has systematized and economized the operation of the greatest public utility in the greatest state in the union. The New York system, by commission control, or something akin to it, should be the model for this state of California; but I shall still believe that the ideal in highway economics will never be reached until non-political administration and state aid for maintenance instead of construction made the basis of the system. I, therefore, recommend that this board of directors take immediate and vigorous steps to oppose the adoption of the highway bonding act, OKRA STEWED SPANISH STYLE Paro both ends of a number of Okra pods and put them over the fire covered with equal quantities of broth and tomato sauce; add salt, pepper, and a slice of ham; remember to take into account the saltiness of the ham when adding salt; stew slowly for an hour, or until the pods are tender. Dish the okras, thicken the sauce slightly and pour over them, sprinkling with very finely minced parsley. ROSE'S STORE NATIONAL TEN DAYS' SAVING SALE FULL BLAST Wednesday, a campaign that will please all ware, Woodenware and Kitchen Utensils, any time, at Bona Fide Radical Reductions. OUR FIRST GREAT SALE largest collection ever presented to the Orange county public at any son: Eight months ago we announced a ten days' sale on our enys' business ever done in a single store of its kind in Anaheim, folss last sales record every day during this great event. To do this nes of goods for every part of the House, which will be on sale at unity. Make up a list of the things you need and bring the list to this great Money Saving Sale offers you. OK & ROSE Tell Everybody! Eight months ago we announced a ten days' sale on our enlys business ever done in a single store of its kind in Anaheim, folless last sales record every day during this great event. To do this measures of goods for every part of the House, which will be on sale at unity. Make up a list of the things you need and bring the list to this great Money Saving Sale offers you. OK & ROSE (BROOK, Successor) CALIFORNIA Halpern Sales Co. 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