The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-11-18
Better Roads.

The movement for the improvement Of
roads has spread over the country like an
epidemic and is still being pushed by its
most earnest promoters, among whom none
have been more energetic and persevering
than Albert A. Pope of the Pope Manfg.
Co. of bicycle fame. The MIDLAND
JOURNAL has received copies Of petition
TO Congress prepared for signatures, accom-
panied by circular letter from which we
make the following extract:
"The time has now come when the peo.
pie are thoroughly aroused to the importance
of improving the highways. Let US all
together endeavor TO do something practical
TO secure better roads. The establishment
Of Road Department, an Institute of Road
Engineering, and permanent Road Elk
hibit in the city of Washington, and com.
preheDsive exhibit of road construction and
maintenance at the Worlds Columbian
Exposition wonld accomplish much in the
way of practical results. This is subject
Of both local and national interest"
We are not prepared to endorse the pro-
posal sofa Road Department, similar to
the Agricultural Department" which this
petition, Mr.. Pope asks to be circulated,
calls for, unless railroads we're put under it
also, and their entire supervision and man.
agement undertaken by the government.
The Agricultural, the Interior or War
Department could take charge of such work
without an additional branch being added
to the government. The government is
educating engineers at Yves; Point in large
numbers in every way fitted for such work,
and who go out to hunt employment after
receiving their education at public expense,
who could be probably employed in pro-
noting the arts of peace, their services in
the art Of war being steadily on the decline.
Other colleges throughout the country are
turning out civil engineers by the score
yearly who find themselves out of job, and
would be glad Of such employment. There
seems TO be no lack of this kind of educat-
ed talent and much more would be speedily
supplied. Every Agricultural College
should and would, under a stimulous of
public road improvement, make specially
of course of instruction in road engineer.
ing.
The all important matter IN inaugursling
government improvement of public roads is
the iuuds for that work. Where shall such
funds come from to meet appropriations A
great deal of money is annually lost as
wholly as that wasted in the present system
of Preparing" county roads, in dredging
creeks and out of the way streams. Millions
put in the "River and Harbor" appropria.
tions could be proftably applied to con.
structing country roads, that are virtually
thrown away scooping mud out of small
streams, making indentaton to be filled up
again in year or Two, to be again scooped
out at public expense.
A writer in The Financier some two years
ago suggested that the Federal Government
could confer no greater benefit upon the
public, or rather the public on itself-for
the government is the public and the public
in concrete is the government-than by
creating $5O0,OOO.OGO legal tender money
and applying its use to country road build.
ing throughout the country. Such stroke
of craftsmanship would not only create
great improvement which would add to the
value Of all real estate, but would distribute
much needed addition 10 the money of the
country among all the people in exchange
for their wealth producing labor. The
money would stay in the volume Of circula-
ton as the $346, 900, 900 greenbacks, created
TO promote war and destruction, are now in
circulation after thirty years. If MIR. Pope
will add TO his public road literature
financial chapter pointing out to the public
where the sipews of road making may be
found without taking them out Of the peck.
cts of the people to be again put back in
exchange for their own property the nation
and all the people who toll will rise up and
call him blessed. We have given him
suggestion to consider. Let him inquire of
million farmers if they favor it.