New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-31
HTGHVAY ENFORCEMENT.

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT.
Those who are interested in the great and
growing subject of highway improVemeh,-ano
their number is constantly increaslng-arc natu-
rally encouraged at the progress which has been
made by the bill providing for the creation OF
q National Highway Commission. This meas
IRE was introduced in the Senate this month,
and has already been passed by that body Re
forms proverbially move slowly. 1t is easy to
understand however, why the one which the
Commission bill is designed to conserve should
he an exception to the rule. 1t is nothing II
not practical One OF the great problems OF
the age-when time more truly than ever De-
fore in the worlds history is money-is the
problem of rapid transit. Road reform Is an
attempt to solve phase OF that problem by
a general improvement OF the highways. not 10
sneak of the byways of the United States in
accordance with a scientific plan, so that they
shall be in the highest degree servioeable. Con
seouently, road reform commends itself 70 ali
who have occasion to use rOads-that Is 10 say
TO nearly everybody. An abstract OF the Com
mission bill has already been printed IN HE
TRIBUNE. In case it becomes law, the reform
will be placed upon solid foundation. ana VIII
attract such general attention that It's success
will be assured. 1t provides for an inquiry
touching the general condition of the highways
of the country, and the feasibility Of formulat-
ing plans for the establishment of National
school of roads and bridges. 1t also provides
for the exhibition at the Worlds Fair of the
best methods and appliances for roadmaking.
and the collection of information bearing upon
the building and care Of roads. Considering
that there is no politics in the bill. and that 1t
aims In a moderate sensible way To- promote
the general welfare where 1t greatly needs to
be promoted, what shall be said OF the public
spirit of those who delayed its passage through
the House by their flibusterng?
In the August number of The Forum ex
Governor Beaver makes On interesting con-
tribution to the literature Of road reform lie
notes that the final resort OF those who oppose
improvement upon the present system OF road
making Is the fear Of the amount OF money
necessary to be expended in securing in the
first instance a thoroughly good road" This
is undoubtedly true In fact, substantially the
only opposition which the reform has encoun-
tered comes from those who are unable 70
understand that the trucst economy is some
times conditioned upon u very large e1pendi-
ture The contrast which the Ex-Governor
draws between the exceeding usefulness OF the
public road to the entire community and the
exceeding indifference with which the com
munity nevertheless regard it is worth quot
ing. He says:
Every member Of society is interested IN the pubic
road. At birth. at death. and at all Intermediate
points during life 81 Is used to greater or less de
gree, by or for every individual member OF society
1t carries the doctor 10 the bedside Of the sc the
minister 10 administer consolation to the dying friends
10 the house Of mourning and the dead 10 their graves
10 brings purchaser and consumer together IL IL
tho alike Of pleasure and OF rino. The
farmer seeking his market, tho commercial traveller
looking for customers the millionaire IN search 81 en-
joyment with his hand four. the wheeman IN
pursuit OF health the few seeking pleasure or profit
on wheels, and the many IN like pursuits on foo-al
are interested IN tho public road. And yet direct
and immediate these interests are we are content
10 follow the methods OF half century or more ago
TO submit TO inconvenience TO discomfort, and TO the
immense waste Of money and patience: not because
we do not admit the advantages Of good road over
bad one; not because cannot zee, In theory at
least that a solid. smooth, level road which allows
the farmer to convey 10 market twice as much with
half tho power 10 advantageous to him. not because II
cannot be clearly demonstrated that in tho end (be
cause Of the saving 10 annual repairs and the saving
Of wnsto IN vehicles, horsehosh, harnesA and the kc
good road is cheaper than q poor ono-for all those
things are distinctly and fully admitted by those who
have given careful study TO the sublect-but because
prejudice opposition 10 change. and Indifference
troll the masses OF people and dictate tho course
Of legislation.
Tho fact that good roads are a paying in
vestment is one which cannot be insisted upon
too often, hence the testimony which Mr. Beaver
offers upon this point is well worth tho con
sidcration of whom it may concern In refer
ence 70 the practical results arising from the
improvements of certain roads and tho build
ing of two miles of model public road in Penn
sylvania near Philadelphia, he says "As to
the practical results arising from the improve
ments Just referred TO there have been I'M
doubted enhancement of the value of real
estate, an influx OF desirable population, and
the largest possible increase to the comfort and
convenience of all the people of those regions
who make use of these roads" In other words
it pays from all points of view TO have good
roads.
WHAT LOWER PRICES MEAN
Senator Carlisle does not controvcrt the state