216 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



our idea not to make a set program, but to have a full and free dis- 

 cussion as near as possible by all of the delegates. In the evening, we 

 have what we call our educational program. At this program we take 

 up the work of road building, as it has been carried on in various 

 parts of the United States, and I believe at this meeting we will have 

 some of the best educational features along road improvement lines that 

 have ever been shown in this city. Through the courtesy of the Port- 

 land Cement Company we have a series of moving pictures which will 

 be shown that evening, taken to show the construction of concrete roads in 

 various parts of the United States, especially of Wayne county, Michi- 

 gan, which is the banner county of the middle west so far as ways is 

 concerned. Through the courtesy of the Brick Manufacturers Asso- 

 ciation, we will have a series of views showing brick construction, and 

 another showing dirt moving machinery in operation, and these we call 

 our educational program. It has its feature of advertising, of course, 

 but it is this advertising feature .that is the best educational matter that 

 can be procured along these lines. The third program is to be reports from 

 all the organized state roads. That is all the organized roads, including 

 the trans-state roads, and the shorter lines over the state, and we hope 

 to have full reports from nearly all of the roads. I hope that as many 

 of you as possible may attend this meeting and take part in the discus- 

 sions. The topic I was assigned this afternoon is "Iowa Roads and 

 Their Future Improvements." 



The road problem in Iowa is primarily an educational one. Senti- 

 ment has been aroused to a point far exceeding any thoughts of those 

 who have been closely in touch with the road work. This sentiment I 

 believe is sound, the foundation is good, and the outlook for the right 

 kind of legislation is bright, but this sentiment, in its present healthy 

 condition, will exist in that condition just as long as the best interests 

 of the state are conserved in road legislation that is passed, or in any 

 other steps that are taken to promote better highways. Iowa, as a state, 

 occupies at present a middle ground. The states which have taken the 

 most advanced position, as states, are those of the far east, such as 

 Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and of the far west, 

 such as California and Washington. These states have entered into road 

 building as an important function of the state government, and have 

 appropriated large sums of money to carry on this work. New York 

 startled the world a few years ago by issuing fifty million dollars worth 

 of bonds to aid road building. Almost before our wonder at this radical 

 measure had ceased, a second issue for the same amount was passed at 

 the recent election. 



The other extreme is illustrated by the states which, as states, have 

 taken absolutely no part in road work, evidently regarding it purely a 

 function of the township and county governments. 



In the middle position are the states which have extended aid of 

 an engineering and advisory nature, but which have appropriated no 

 money for actual construction work. Iowa was one of the first states 

 to begin work of this character. The present highway commission was 



