Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26

York are not better than they are in other
states. They are great deal worse than in
some OF the New England states, for instance,
and therefore assume that this estimate can
be followed as a guide in determining what
would be needed to complete in the whole
country excellent roads. which, once con-
structed, could be cbeaply and easily main
tanned. Considering the area of New York
and the density of population, and using
these figures in the problem, l estimate that
S4O0, DOC, 900 would give us a good system
of common roads all over the country. This
is great deal of money, but il doesn't seem
great compared with the values which would
be enhanced by its wise expenditure. And
right here it may be noted that the cost Of
maintaining and repairing a highway prop
erly constructed in the frs. instance ought
never to be greater for a year than / per
cent of its first cost. In the two items OF
horses and vehicles, l lave shown. the in
creased value OF these properties would more
than pay for the Improvement; but it is not
the greatest value by any means. The effect
upon the horses and vehicles used on roads
would be more immediate and more direct,
and therefore / have called particular atten-
ton to this phase OF the subject. The en-
hancement of the value of real estate would
he so great that the items l have mentioned
would seem so insignificant as not to be worth
discussing. In one neighborhood alone
that of Union county. New Jersey-the i'm
provement of the roads has changed values
so greatly that men who a few years ago
were struggling farmers with earnings SO scant
that 1t was difficult to make two ends meet are
now not only well-to-do. but absolutely rich.
They can sell their crops at good profits;
they can grow more profitable crops; they
can get these crops quickly and cheapiy to
market; and their lands, for which at low
prices 1t was formerly almost impossible to
find purchasers. are now in demand at prices
which, compared with the old order Of things.
seem fabulous, and the mere mention of which
suggests a most unaccustomed condition of
opulence.
THE SOCIAL SIDE.
''These are few of the direct economic prob
lens in which the roads are factors. There is
another one worthy of MENTION OF even greater
Importance. 1t is hard to put any money esti-
mate upon the value Of an improved social
condition; indeed, it is impossible. But our
bad roads have serious an influence upon
country life and the happiness OF the men and
the women who lead rural lives that in all
probability purely social aspect of the case is
more important than any other. One can
scarcely pick up a newspaper nowadays with
out reading that in farming communities 1t is
most difficult to get competent and trustworthy
agricultural laboIers. When any thoughtful
observer sees in the great cities how the families
of the men who do what is called la orers' work
are lodged, when he sees them huddled together
In great, badly smelling tenement houses, he
marvels that they should prefer this to life In
the country, where fresh air is free and whole
some food is cheap; but there can be little
doubt that there Is a preference for this kind
OF existence in cities, even though it be a fact
that work Is harder to get there than in the
country. and not a bit more regular. Not only
is this the case with laborers. but we find, when.
ever We choose to inquire that the best youths
born of country families early begin to feel a
laundering for towni life. If they stay ed at home
to till the soil fields there would not be this
scarcity Of agricultural laborers which has Just