The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-03-05
Count > Roads.

COHFL D ftD1~tS-
To connection Wit the subject Of improv-
al ,,ubl.c roads. he Philadelphia Reogd
publishes asi ini.rrss INK interview with Mr
A. ]. Cassatt. ex -vice President Of the Penn
svivania rai.r .ad. Mr. tassatt is road
supervisor in Montgomery county Pa. and
has advanced views ON the subject Of road
making.
..Pbe ignorance and cerelessness OF many
supervisors. says Mr. Cassati, and the un-
intelligent sentiment of rural populations
are as much to blame for the present wretch
ed state as lack OF funds. The commercial
value ofa good roadway has got to be i'm
messed on the minds OF the agriculturisis,
and their own Interests and pride in main
tanning il aroused. They must be shown
that ii is not merely for styles sake or beau
TVS sake that the rough places are made
smooth. hut that good road adds value to
The neighboring lands and saves to their
owners many hours and dollars.
Mr.. Cassatt says the farmers in neighbor-
hood in his county, where the roads have
been greatly improved, who used 70 protest
against the road tax, now realize its benefits,
and themselves contribute literally and soi-
unfairly when a movement for still greater
improvements is on foot. One farmer re-
Gently gave 500 of bis own choice for the
construction Of a short road Mr.. Cassatt
saws be has found ia his experience as road
supervisor that 10 sooner was one road put
in thoroughly good repair than the dwellers
in the district through which il passed
straightway ciamored 10 have all the lanes
and cross roads tributary to it similarly I'M
proved In this way the township has be
come embraced in a perfect network OF
splendid macadamized rosds.
The Lancaster turnpike. says Mr. Cas-
satt, "ten years ago was in miserable con-
duion. No one thought Of travelling on il if
be could possibly avoid, and the annual tolls
amounted TO scarcely more tEan si,2oO-
With no increase Of rates, $4,000 Vas the
amount collected at the toll gates last year.
The residents Of the township haze had to
expend a great deal Of their own money to
arrive at the present condition Of aiiairs,
with sixty miles Of excel ent roa isay, iut
they believe they are doably compensated
for their expenditure
But Mr. Cassau coace les that 10 many
townships where the people are not so veil
to-do. if voluntary contributions were de
pended on, decent roads would be an i'm
possibility He says there must be State aid
and ifthe State wants its people 10 have
proper travelling facilities he thinks that the
! establishment of Road Bureau, to be loca-
ted at Harrisburg, aud TO have general
oversight and direction Of the work Of the
! township supervisors. would be the best
means of promoting road making reform
/ There should, he thinks. be certain Ines Of
roads running through all the populous
districts of the State that should be kept in
constant and excellent repair by this State
Bureau The turnpike might be included
! in this list The other roads should be prop
erly maintained 10y the township supervisors
but always subject to the inspection and
guidance of the state officials. The require
nent that all road taxes shall be paid IN
cash should be very prominent feature Of
a new law.
Mr. Cassati is convinced, after long and
thorough investigation of the subject. that
the macadam system Of roads surpasses any
other. In this connection, and in support
of the excellence Of macadam. the valley
turnpike. extending from Winchester to
Staunton Va, may be cited This is known
as one of the best roads in the United States.
Despite its extraordinarily hard usage during
the la.e war with but little spent in repairs,
the close ofhostilities found 1t in an excel
lent condition. II was heavily metaled and
even the hauling of the heavy artillery fail
ed to seriously affect the splendid road-bed.
which is almost as smooth as an asphalt
pavement.
The size OF the loads han'e over this road
! by the big six horse teams of the farmers of
Shenandoah, Rockingham, and Augusta
counties, in all seasons of the year would
surprise the farmers of the ''mudload' dis
tricls. The Valley turnpike is as good now
as it was thirty years ago, despite the fact
that it is paralleled its entire distance by
railroad. II is kept in repair at a small an
annual expense, and promises to continue
for all time a valuable highway.