Morris tribune., 1880-09-09
Broad Rimmed Wheels.

Broad Rimmed Wheels.
For several years petitions have been
presented to the Legislature for law to
compel the use Of broad-rimmed wheels
on heavily loaded vehicles. They have
ususally provoked laugh, and that was
the only good that came of them.
THIS year, the petitions were 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:
The expenses of keeping the roads
and bridges in repair, in the Common
wealth, are at least $l,6O0,O0O. This
large sum has to be annually appropri-
ated, and to it may be added half as
much more for the waste of horse flesh !;
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 were, 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-
Giles ofevery 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 go faster.
Here, the proposed system makes a
strong appeal to those who have been
trying 10 ameliorate the condition of
dumb animals; and in the name OF hui
manly, over and above all other consid-
erations, we recommend this change.
It appears from the testimony, that,
by altering the tires of all wagons OF
ether vehicles used for heavy loads to the
prescribed widths. the roads would be
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 would
move one-quarter more in weight will
equal ease, making it very evident tina
double saving would be the result o
the change from narrow to broad-rlmmeG
wheels.
! Another thing to be considered is tn
, destruction to pavements by the use o
narrow, and, in some cases, very sharl
, wheels. Here the mis- chief is even great
er than to the plain country roads; ant
all those men who have in charge the re
pairing of our city streets, repaving, fill
ing up bad places, &c, if they will ALLOW
themselves to act without prejudice, mus
be ready to do everything in their pow
er to bring round better state of things
> Again the wear to the wheels of heav
wagons would be much less, thus doin,
away with the necessity for new ones a
often as is now felt; and this argumen
should appeal to the teamster, who il
some cases owns the team with which h
transports merchandise for shops ant
factories.
So great has been found to be the ad
vantage of broad-rimmed wheels owe
marrow ones, that in Europe many of tn
turnpike roads allow wheels of certain
:: width to pass toll free, believing them t.
be help instead of an injury to tn
road. Wishing to be reasonable in thei
judjment of this matter, the committe
recommended that fair time be Above,
; to bring about the change, and Therefore
propose that it should not be compulsor,
until the expiration of three years from
the passing of the act, but as means O
Fastening a good time, they would sug
!. gest that towns be authorized to offe
bounties to all who may adopt the Law
previous to its taxing effect.
The city of Syracuse has by ordinanc
adopted broad wheels, and already saves
thousands by so doing. Chicago is abeu
!, to do the same.
1 The bill which Is presented provide
that three years after its passage, tn
! wheels of every wagon and vehicle wit
four wheels drawn by one beast passinI
upon or over any common highwa
: within the commonwealth shall have fel
! loes not less than three inches in width
and, if drawn by two beasts, the SAT-
wagon or vehicle shall have felloes no
less than tour inches In width; and
|. dra On by more than two beasts, shall hav
! felloes not less than five inches in width
|, and if the carriage be cart or vehicl
! with two wheels, and drawn by on
beast, the fcllOes shall not be less thar
FIVE inches in width, and, If drawn b,
two beasts or more, said cart shall hav
telloes not less than six inches in width
The penalty for the violation of the la,
| is fine of not less than $5. or more thai
: $50. Stage coaches, omnibuses, hacks
family and pleasure carriages, are ex
|. cepted from the provisions of the act
I Clues and towns are allowed to offer
: county to all persons who shall adop
) the rules laid down previous to the act
!, taking effect.