The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-11-10
ROAD IMPROVEMENT,
The Question of Better Roads .2eceIv
Ing Attention from Farmers.

Ing Attention from Farmers.
The attention which the ques-
ten OF good roads is receiving in
agricultural states and sections is
very encouraging to advocates of
better wagon transport. 1t is now
agreed that better roads would De
positive gain to the farmer directly
and indirectly. At the late Iowa
convention the loss to the creamer-
les and their supplying farmers
through bad roads was stated to be
20 per cent. The main question
now open for discussion is the fnan-
cial one-how can good wagon roads
be secured so as to distribute the
burden OF cost and maintenance
equitably?
The recent Missouri road con-
yention divided roads into three
classes: Macadam or gravel roads
are Of the first class; such roads
should be built upon the petition
of a majority of the abutting prop
erty owners, not less than % per
cent. of the cost to be paid by them.
Well graded and drained dirt roads
are of the second class, and shonld
be built at the expense of the
county. To provide the money, all
dramshop licenses should be divert
ed to a road fund, besides q special
tax not to exceed fifty cents on
each 500. 1t is also recommended
that The state of Missouri lend its
credit to the credit to the counties
for road purposes up to 10 per cent.
of the assessed value and an amend
ment to the constitution be made
to that end, and that congressional
districts shall also be road districts,
with roadmaster for each, ap-
pointed by the county court.
| The Iowa convention recon.
mended general road plan for the
state, with six roads running east
and west and six running north
and south, the average cost beng
estimated at 81 800 per mile. The
state could be divided into three or
five districts, with a roadmaster for
each, these men to constitute a
state board, who shall employ an
engineer and designate a general
plan-no less than twenty miles to
be undertaken at one time. 1t was
urged by the convention that work
should begin when it can be shown
that $4,000 miles of good reads can
be built in five or ten years, so that
when complete no person in Iowa
will be found living more thar four
miles from perfect macadamized
road.
1t was optimistically asserted
that this mileage could be con-
structed without any increase of
taxation by having the state issue
IS, 100000 of 3 per cent. bonds,
and by authorizing cities to grant
aid to be expended outside their
corporate limits, but in their coun-
ties. In both conventions papers
were read and speeches made by
prominent men pointing out the
beneficent effect of good wheeling
upon the farmers. Good wagon
roads would enliyen social life, stop
the rush to the cities and send
fewer farmers and their wives to
the insane asylums.
These conventions will serve the
good purpose of sitting out an equi-
table scheme of road payment.
The plans recommended in Iowa
and Missouri propose practically to
shift the burden from the farmer to
the community, excepted in regard
to first class roads in. Missouri,
which are to be built upon the pc
tition Of AUDITING owners, who
must pay at least one-quarter Of
the cost. 1t is very doubtful
whether the community at large
should bear the whole expense,
though it would be right for a GER
tain share to be charged to the state
and a certain Other share to tho
county. If we wait for abuttlng
farms alone to carry the reform
through we should delay good roads
indefinitely. What proportion of
the expense will the different
classes be willing to pay toward
this desirable reform? Delay will
be no matter of regret if it permits
the perfection of plans in advance.
Good roads in Europe have been
the work Of centuries, and IN solv-
ing our own problems we should
plan wisely and for the distant fu-
ture.-New York Post.