Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-30
AS TO ROAD MAKING.
Captain Nader Advances Some Very
Practical Information on
the Subject.
Madison Democrat.

the subject: 1.-The movement tn 0UghOuJ
the country for better roads is one of the
most significant and important events os
the nineteenth century. Good
ROADS cheaper the cost Of transportation
by saving time, reducing the wear of
draught animals and of vehicles, and thus
lessen the cost of material to the producer
and consumer" Mr.. Pope has certainly
condensed the whole question into one
sentence and there is very little more to
be said, excepting Co enlarge upon the
serial factors contained in this sentence
Mr. Pope has made an effort, and is con-
tinuing the same to establish a road de-
partment at the worlds Columbian expo
sitiCn, instead Of only a class as it is now
contemplated, and asks every public spir-
tied citizen to aid in giving impetus to
the movement. In reply to a letter of Mr..
Pope's TO the director general of the ex-
position, Mr.. S. H. Peabody, chief of the
department of liberal arts, to whom the
letter was referred, says: "There can be
no doubt that this subject is one of para
mount Importance TO the people of this
country. No improvement would 80
greatly aid the American farmer as that
which would give him as good roads as
may be found in the poorest districts, say
Of Ireland and Italy. | have written SO
much as evidence that have some appro-
citation of the subject.
It is certainly encouraging to review
such remarks from such source. It's
stimulus to every public spirited citizen 10
aid In the effort in bringing about the
desired results Mr.. Pope, in subse-
qutnt letter remrds: GA comprehensive
road exhibit at the Exposition would be
the most powerful factor to bring about
national and state legislation for the con
struction and maintenance Of good roads. -
Now, if Mr.. Pope did not cover the whole
subject in the remarks which l adopted as
en- Introductory, he certainly has done so
IL the remark last quoted, for | am quite
certain that it is the absence of proper
and competent legislation, more tLan any
other thing, that retards the building and
improving of our roads and highways and
giving us the proper means Of transpor-
tation SO necessary in our present state of
progress and advanced civilization.
Within the past few years many excel
lent articles have appeared on this sub
ject in our papers and periodicals, some
not quite practicable in all points, but all
tending to promote the solution of the
great problem Of the day.
Good roads are sometimes said to be
sign Of civilization. That might be said
Of some Of the older countries where it all
has come about in the natural order as
it will here in this country where we have
progressed more rapidly than we could
supply our increasing wants. Fifty years
ago the roads Of Wisconsin and some OF
cur ueighboring states were not bad
roads The few isolated wagon tracks Of
the early settlers made but a feeble i'm
preston on the soil; but as the population
increased the multiplied impression soon
told their story. Cammerce increased
with the community, and that which was
sufficient for the individual was not for
the numbers, and we have arrived at a
time when our roads must be improved or
further progress stopped.
We might look to some Of cur older
states and expect that civilization had i'm
proved their roads, but from what can
learn they are no better eff than We are.
| know from recent experience that
the roads Of Virginia, Tennessee and ad-
joining states are the worst possible, so
that travel is at times positively stopped.
The traveller on horse back making three
miles an hour is doing well.
have said enough in this direction and
will now consider the location of roads.
1t appears to re, that sometimes the most
impractical routes, impossible hills and
least desirable locations are chosen for
public roads, and whether it be an iuor-
dinate desire to follow strictly on section
and town lines, or to surrender only the
most useless land, certain it is, If the most
undesirable location was sought for the
risult was a perfect success. A road
should not be located on strictly level
land, IN which case the whole road, or so
much as is level, may
any time during spell of wet weather,
become a quagmire. Excessive grades
should be avoided, for aside from tue in.
creased strain upon the animals and wear
upon TIE vehicles, the read bed will be
subject to washouts during times of heavy
rains and would require extern i've repairs.
Sometimes with little difficulty and with
remunerative results, we may deviate from
rigid lines and locate where we strik.
suitable material for constr uction athing
which is always considered by miou rail :
road locating engineer who IS working IN
the interest of his company. Another
thing to be considered in Iccat-
ing besides the useful is a COM
bination of this desiderum with
the beautiful. We all like, or should,
to look at pretty scene while we are at
tending to our business pursuits, or, if we
are 50 disposed, take drive for recrea-
ton. l. is elevating; it inspires our
minds with nobler THOUGHTS and IN tho