No. 5. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 265 



well as of doubtful legality. We believe the appropriation of the 

 State funds to any educational or charitable institution under sec- 

 tarian or denominational control, to be unconstitutional, and that 

 it is time to call a halt. The results of such aforegoing mentioned 

 legislation have been vicious and demoralizing, being a constant 

 temptation to unscrupulous persons to apply for State aid for the 

 establishment and maintenance of such institutions, a new crop being 

 born and aided at every session of the legislature through the dis- 

 gusting log-rolling manipulations to secure the passage of a bill for 

 their support. 



As to road laws, in an address before the American Association 

 for tlie Advancement of Science, by Logan Waller Page, Director of 

 the United States OflQce of Public Eoads, the Pennsylvania Highway 

 Department was cited as being one of those in which millions are 

 wasted through political manipulations. This being a serious 

 charge, with no specific acts mentioned, it may be well to quote more 

 of his address in order to see in what he states a parallel of the con- 

 ditions as many of us may have observed them. Mr. Page's refer- 

 ence to this State and its political road building was part of a 

 general discussion of conditions throughout the country. The Ameri- 

 can people, lie said, just build up a wall of protection against poli- 

 tical meddlers in all branches of public service. We have in our 

 public road system, if it can be called such, approximately, 2,300,000 

 miles. The people, as a public corporation, are consenting to the 

 expenditure of about two hundred millions in a haphazard attempt 

 to make this rash endeavor pay. That it. is a losing investment, con- 

 ducted on lines directly opposite to those of the best managed pri- 

 vate corporations, is an established fact. It is estimated by experts 

 that every year the American people lose at least fifty million dol- 

 lars because of their careless supervision of the traffic facilities; it 

 is the lack of definite responsibilities which bring about the failure 

 of the local work, and State supervision seems to be the first and 

 most effective step toward obtaining satisfactory road conditions. To 

 safeguard against the many evils confronting the people of the 

 state in planning their systems of road management, the following 

 is offered by Mr. Page: 



"First, the appointment in each unit or substation that number of road 

 officials necessary to do the definite duties and placing upon these men the 

 distinct responsibility for the work done. 



Second, some arrangement should be made whereby the road officials shall 

 give the roads systematic and continuous attention instead of the irregular 

 care which has proved so costly In the long run. 



Third, the requirement of necessary qualifications which the road official 

 must possess to discharge his duties efficiently. 



Fourth, the demand that the incumbent of any road office shall be ap 

 pointed because of his qualifications in this way eliminating those who are 

 more able as politicians than as engineers. 



Fifth, road officials would serve best the people if the term of office was 

 limited by merit and not terminated at regular periods. 



Sixth, provisions should be made for a careful study of traffic needs in the 

 various localities, so that political considerations may not be the deciding 

 factor in the location of road Improvement, distribution of appropriations 

 and appointment of needed officials. 



The people should have a strict, clearcut, civil service legislation, appli- 

 cable to the entire road system in each state, which would give them the 

 necessary power to recall incompetent officials. 



Most decidedly, all subordinate positions should be filled by rigid com- 

 petitive examinations, without regard to party affiliations. 



