Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-09
OBJECTIONS TO ROAD IMPROVEMENT.

OBJECTIONS TO ROAD ImPROVEmENTs
The hearing before the State Road Com
mission of the views of farmers on the sub
ject of country road improvement has de-
veloped variety of views. Those which
have the most significance are the objec-
tions coming from citizens of such standing
as Colonel Piolette, and which may be
taken as largely representative of the agri-
cultural feeling throughout the State. The
main objections can be summed up as fol-
lows: (1). Opposition to any scheme which
will largely increase the burden of the ag-
ricultural class from taxation. (2). The
criticism that in certain portions Of the
State with gravelly soil the roads are prefer
able in their present state to what they
would be il macadsmized. e. The kindred
objection that in some counties where road
improvement is needed the cost of hauling
limestone would be prohibitory, and (D
that many of the farming class, with whom
money is scarce, cannot afford to pay in
cash all the road taxes that would be re-
quired for comprehensive scheme of road
Improvement.
These objections must be given their due
weight; and if they cannot be properly met
it is plain that the policy of road improve
ment is not likely to overcome the opposi-
ton of the agricultural interests. But it is
to be noticed that they are all based on the
assumption that a hard-and-fast project Of
road improvement has been adopted which
will require macadam or telford roads every
where, with exactly the same materials in
all localities, and will make the farmers
pay largely increased taxes from the incep-
ton. We think it fairer to suppose that
the project will be conducted on more
practical and conservative methods.
If, as Colonel Piolette seems to appre-
hend, the burdens of taxation will be such as
to wipe out the present owners of farms be-
fore they can get the advantage of the new
highways. the plan would be fatally defec-
tive. But supposing it were shown to the
farmers that the Intelligent application of
the present road taxes to making roadbeds
permanent and solid, supplemented by bid
from the State, would in the course of years
give them good roads at all seasons, would
not their support be assured? With regard
to the other objections a reasonable course
will obviate them all. The improvement of
the roads in each section should be such as
the local condition renders most practicable;
and q system of crediting farmers for the
amount of work done instead of for the time
spent on it, would enable them to work out
their road taxes, and at the same time
abolish the present shams in that line.
But this status. both of the project and Of
the objections to it, should show the Com
mission one thing. There is no use of taking
time in hearing opinions for or against
plan of improvement which has not taken
definite shape. Let that body complete
plan by which the work is to be prosecuted
and then ask for public opinion on it If
the plan provides means for securing solid
roads without serious increase of taxation,
there is little doubt that great preponder-
ance of public opinion will be in its favor.
If it entails serious enlargement of taxa
tion with only the hope of benefits in the
future, its acceptability by the public will
be more doubtful. But it is hardly profit
able to take opinions on the subject when
each opinion is based on individual pre-
judgment as to what the plan of work will be.