The Princeton union., 1880-09-09
Broad Rimmed Wheels.

Or several years pet1C1OuS udVe Oecu
presented to the Legislature for a law to
compel the use of broad-rimmedw wheels
on heavily loaded vehicles. They have
ususally provoked laugh, and that was
the only good that came of them.
This year, the petitions We're redoubled
in length and in weight of names, and
the committee has unanimously reported
bill giving the petitioners what they
want, and stating as facts what certainly
is not generally known as to the waste of
force by the use Of narrow-rimmed
wheels. Parts Of the committee reports
are as follows: "4
The expenses Of keeping the roads
and bridges in repair, in the Common
wealth, are at least $1,60O,OOO. This
large sum has to be annually appropri-
ated, and to it may be added half as
much more for the waste of horse-fesh; :;
the roads IN many sections Of the State
are poor now, and when we consider the
still greater use which will be natural
consequence of the apparent revival
Of business prosperity, we see that they
must grow worse, unless the change
of which we speak is ready made. In
| our changeable climate, one day the road
may be muddy, or at least very soft, and
the loaded wagon, with its narrow ties,
will sink IN several inches, cutting CASH
es, as it we're, along the street for miles
the next morning it may, and probably
will he frozen stiff, and an attempt to
| ride over those hubs is very nearly suicid-
al 10 the nerves and backs of those who
have right to expect better things of
the public highway. In addition to the
great discomfort OF man, such state of
road brings great wear and tear to vehl-
cles fevery description, causing expense
to their owners, which if closely locked
INTO, and exactly estimated, would make
the travelling public open their eyes
with establishment.
Another effective argument in favor OF
broad-rimmed wheels is the great relief
their use would afford dumb animals.
Teamsters try in VAIN to urge their oxen
and horses to greater speed over the roads
described above; and failing by fair means
are not slow to resort to whip, some
times becoming almost furious in their at
tempts to compel them to 60 faster
Here, the sproposed system makes q
strong appeal to those who have been
trying to ameliorate the condition ot
dumb animals; and in the name OF hu.
manlty, over and above all other consid
erations, we recommend this change.
It appears from the testimony, that
by altering the tires of all wagons o,
ether vehicles used for heavy loads to thu
prescribed widths. the roads would b.
smoothed, hardened, and generally I'M
proved, so that the expense of keeping
; them in repair would be lessened one
quarter, say. throughout the whole State
to an amount equalling four hundred
thousand dollars. At the same time
over roads in such state Of perfection
!, it is the opinion of practical teamsters
| that the same amount of force woult
move one-quartor more in weight witt
, equal ease, making it very evident tha
, a double saving would be the result o
the change from narrow to broad-rlmme,
wheels. @
Another thing to be considered is tn
) destruction to pave,nents by the use Q
narrow, and, in some cases, very shar
wheels. Here the mischief is even great
! er than to the plain country roads; an
? all those men who have in charge the re
pairing of our city streets, repaving, fill
r ing up bad places, &c, If they will allo,
! themselves to act without prejudice, mus
e be ready to do everything in their pow
er to bring round better state Of things
1 Again the wear to the wheels of heay