Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-04-02
GOOD ROADS ARE COMING.
Thu Widespread Agitation Has Taken
Root and Is Fearing Fruit.

Inc ROADS improvement de5lLdtiOh 10
growing apace throughout the length
and breadth of the land. Progressive
ideas generally have hard time of it at
first, but when they get start they go
with rush. The idea of good roads is
progressive and it has been no exception
TO the rule. But it has passed its baby
hood, is now in vigorous youth and
promises to pass on to hearty, aggres-
sive maturity.
No better evidence of this is at hand
than the fact that Uncle Sam himself is
interested in it. And well he may be,
for no reform will do more to add TO the
general prosperity of the American peo-
pie than reform of the ancient and
pernicious methods which have made
American thoroughfares the abominable
nuisances which they undoubtedly are
now. Some time in November Of last
year Mr.. Isaac B. Potter, who is doing
more than any other one man to bring
good roads from fancy land and make
realities of them, wrote to Secretary of
State Blame asking for information re-
garding foreign highways and highway
making. Now, every American consul
in Europe has been instructed to forward
to Washington reports on the subject.
These reports will be invaluable to
friends of good roads, for they will show
what has been accomplished, and will
command the belief of many people who
are now sl1eptical as to the good results
which improved highways are sure to
bring
The fact that the state department has
taken up the matter gives assurance that
the agitation has taken deep root, and
the fact that the state governments are
passing laws about it shows that 1T is
bearing fruit The report submitted to
the Pennsylvania Legislature by the com
mission recently appointed TO ascertain
the best way of going about the task of
improving the highways of the state is
of particular interest, as it doubtless en-
bodies the most carefully considered,
equitable and effective plans yet offered.
The commission had held over twenty
meetings in different parts of the state,
and at least 5000 farmers and others
had attended those meetings and given
their experience with roads and as road
makers.
The supreme difficulty faced the road
commission in its work of formulating
general road law that was to avoid the
burden of direct cash tax upon the
farmers of the state, and yet do away with
the pernicious and absolutely valueless
system of working out" a road tax.
The new law viii make the township
the unit upon whichit viii base all opera
TONS twill not propose any special sys-
tenn of road making, for while some Of
the counties have an abundance of stone,
others have none to speak Of, and there
fore attempts to build macadamized
roads in these latter counties would be
attended with such an exorbitant cost
that it would reduce the farmers and
land holders to practical beggary in the
payment of road taxes The best perma-
nent roads suitable TO the soil and re-
sources of the various counties will be
recommended.
The amount of money expended upon
the roads of Pennsylvania will exceed
$9,000,000 annually. This money, or
what represents money, labor, is almost
thrown away under the system known
as working out" road tax. What is
collected in cash goes. into the capacious
pockets of supervisors, or is paid in
wages to road workers, who make
holiday of the occasion.
The road supervisors win continue I'M
10. 4l,. ,,,.r ~
stricted privileges. and will be known as
township commissioners. There win be
three elected in each township. They
will be under the direction Of state
officer, who will be known as the dis
trict supervisor or engineer, aud will act
in conjunction with him. The counties
will be divided into districts, with an
engineer in charge Of each. This official
must be Il practical engineer, whose duty
it will be at regular intervals to inspect
all the roads in his district. He will also
supervise the letting of all contracts for
road building, superintend or inspect |
the work as it proceeds, and pass judg |
ment upon the character of the work be-
fore it is taken off the contractors hands. |
The township road commissioners will |
be subject to his orders.
All road tax must be paid in cash. In |
road improvements or construction the |
commissioners are authorized to give the |
first chance for employment to men and |
teams TO persons residing in their dis
trict, with whom a strict account will |
be kept and the amounts earned, at the
same rate per diem for men and teams
as would be paid Others outside the dis
trict, paid in cash to those so employed.
Thus, while the law makes the collection
of cash road tax mandatory, it opens tine
way for the farmer TO get back his money,
and more, too, perhaps.
With reference to new roads the road
commissioners, in conjunction with the
county road engineer, win lay out new
roads and vacate or change the location
of existing roads within the townships
on petition of not less than six taxpayers,
whenever they, or majority of them,
think it necessary to the safety or con-