Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-24
ROAD IMPROVEMENT,

The following extracts are taken from
which appeared in q recent number of
the Wheel:
The American mind is nothing if not
practical. The subject of road improve
ments has gained so firm hold on the
attention Of our people that it Is simply
now a question of time, economic method
and financial ability when the roads of
the country at large will be macadam-
lied; in other words, our ordinary, dis
graceful, wasteful dirt roads will have
become Foundation roads.
How, then, is it practicable to procure
such roads-at least in the majority of
our older states?
1t is to be observed, in the first place,
that, by beginning with proper system,
a moderate mileage of driving roads is
all that will be needed. After a state or
township has become populated by means
of these first roads, it can afford to in
crease the number. Governor Hill of
New York has indicated the method very
clearly in his annual message of jan
uary Z. The main objective business
point to be kept in view is facility of
communication with markets and rail-
way stations. Social intercourse and
pleasure driving are also important mat
tiers. Governor Hill suggests that the
state build two great state roads, cross
ing each other at right angles in about
the center of the territory. This ex-
cellent project would, of course, slim
ulate road building in every county
and township, as these would de-
sire to be in communication with the
great state highways. 1t is clear that if
the several counties and towns follow
the same method of building each two
intersecting roads, we should have prob
ably in ten years all the roads needed
There is little or no question of this
ability of states and counties to construct
such roads as may be required. But the
townships are not, as rule, disposed to
incur immediate heavy outlay for roads,
where the money must be paid in the
annual tax bill. To meet this difficulty
it is proposed to show that any township
will be warranted by considerations of
economy and thrift In issuing bonds to
improve its roads, as is in effect recon-
mended by Governor Hill to the state of
New York.
We will suppose then that the area of
the average township is equal to three
touch with the great county road, and
especially with markets and railroad
stations, il is peoessaryto give it two in
tersecting foundation roads, making
in all twelve square miles of improved
road. OF course the existing roads would
be utilized, but on this principle it may
be assumed that these roads can be COM
pleted for $4,000 per mile and kept in re-
pair for per cent. annually of their
first cost. This would give SIS ZOO as
the sum needed for which to issue bonds.
The yearly charge would then be 5 per
cent. interest on S48 600. S2400; sinking |
fund, per cent. annually for thirty |
years, $3.50; total, $3.50.
The outcome of the plan here indicated |
would be that as the sinking fund would |
liquidate the bonds at maturity, the |
township at the end of thirty years |
would have at least twelve miles of thor |
oughly good road PAID for, and which |
could be always maintained at less cost |
than Is now expended on roads that are |
sometimes we'll nigh impossible. But |
this is an infnitesimal part of the beneft |
arising from the improvement. In many |
cases the only reason why city business |
men do not reside in some choice locali- |
ties is that they cannot have the pleasure |
OF driving over good roads. Their settle
ment in any rural district at once causes /
the value of property TO increase. In /
crease of population brings customers to |
the farmers doors for milk, butter, |
eggs, fruit and vegetables. It estsb- |