Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-30
For Better Roads.

NoT
In all parts OF the country the wheelmen are
| complaining of the condition Of the roads. and
movement, looking toward road improvement
have been started in all sections. Messrs.
Isaac B. Potter of New York and W. NJ. p.
Bowen OF Providence are members of the com.
mittee on improvement of the highways and are
sending out road literature to members of the
L. A. W., as well as to persons in the country
districts. The attention of voters is being
called to the necessity for better highways and
the roads,
Most of the hustling cycle clubs, in the
matter OF road Improvement, seems to locate
In the western districts" says Good Roads.
"One OF these clubs, by its secretary. writes Us
that they are in a fair way to secure the passage
OF law directing the various county recorders
to certify annually to the auditor of the state
full particulars. showing mileage, quality, cost
and condition of the roads in their respective
Counties Such a report would be of infinite
value In opening the ewes of the farmers TO the
actual expense now sustained by them in MAN,
tanning "a kind of public road that is worse
than useless for ten weeks every year. Our
correspondent in this case writes us that the
repairs are SO miserably made that the road
officers are compelled to put up rails on each
side OF the roadway to compel the farmers to
drive on the portions that have been repaired
use highway in that condition is on a par
with the man whom we send to state prison Tor
passing counterfeit money!"
The New York state board of trade has taken
unanimous action IN favor OF bill providing
for the employment OF convict labor on TIE
wagon roads in the various countiesH The bill
provides that male prisoners over eighteen
years OF age and physically able 10 perform
manual labor shall be enrolled by the wardens
OF the several state prisons as subject to draf;
Tor road construction and maintenance Pris-
oners under sentence of death are exempt
Eight hours are assigned as days work and
every convict who faithfully discharges his
duties is to have 10 per cent of his sentence
term committed independent of communications
already provided for by law. The state ell
gineer and deputies shall constitute board TO
determine what roads shall be improved and
elaborate provisions are made as to the manner
in which tho work shall be performed.
The next Illinois legislature VIII be asked to
consider bill appropriating sl0090.O 900 10
improve the roads OF that state. 1t will pro-
vide that the governor appoint four men. tw D
from the party that cast the highest vote at the
last election for governor, and two from the
party that polled the next highest vote. These
four shall constitute a board of road commits
sioners, whose duty i; shall be to look after the
highways of the state. build new and good
roads, keep the old roads in repair, and by
degrees build up the condition OF the public
commissioners the power to borrow the sum
Of $40, 00000o, which shall be expended in the
work. The cyclists will visit Springfield In
force and will do their best to interest the
farmers, who will derive the most benefits. TO
rally to the support of the measure. The
campaign for good roads IN Illinois will then
be on IN earnest. There is not a good high
Way leading out of Chicago, and the roads most
OF the time are almost impossible. 1t may no:
be necessary to borrow the money but the
provision is pa: in the bill for the emergency.
which may not arise. The century road club and
every cycling club in the state will fight to
push the reform through the legislature.
During the summer months as we have al
ready on several occasions remarked, there is a
tendency for the cycling public to slumber and
sleep regarding tho all-important matter of
good roads. Says the Athlete: 1T appears
that at the coming worlds fair at Chicago the
cycling interest in the way of exhibits has not
been taken hold of by the trade generally 10
the extent that was expected. Also, there is
likely to be an apathy regarding the great
question Of road Improvement. which, if not
looked TO, will entail the losing of golden op-
portunity to force home upon the government
as we'll as upon the public the necessity for ex-
tended and systematic work ia the construc-
ton and maintenance Of good public high
ways"