The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1894-06-22

Mr.. Curtis c. Turner, secretary of
the Douglas county road improvement
association, received the following let
ter from Mr.. f. II. Nagel, editor of the
Lincoln (Neb.) Freie PreSSe. The latter
is said to have given the subject of
country roadways thoughtful atten-
ton. His views will be read with in
terest:
c. c. Turner, Esq, Omaha. Dear
Sir-In response to your open letter to
the people of Nebraska, l desire to
submit to your society and to all in
terested in the improvement of public
roads my views on this subject. AS
said in your letter, it is not more
money that is needed, but better man
agement; when, however, a better
management can only be obtained by
employing competent supervisors for
the work: in other words, by creating
new salaried offices, which implies an
expense to the state, false economy
and the fear that such offices may be
reduced to sinecures by politicians are
likely to stand in the way of the
much-needed improvements. Besides,
many who have, never seen better
roads can hardly appreciate the value
of such: and, content with the exist
ing conditions, will treat with con-
tempt all efforts beyond blowing a
O1JCn on 6dcn SlQo DlllnR Inc
up in the center of the road
A good road must have a smooth and
hard surface at all times of the year
In countries where labor and stone are
cheap a stone-paved road is preferable,
of course, to all others. Where such
roads have been constructed in the
older countries an unpaved driveway
is generally maintained on one side for
light driving in dry seasons. In Ne
braska the expense of stone paving Is
too high to permit extensive use IN
country districts. The cost of macad-
amized roads is only about one-third,
and they are for that reason preferable
in our state. Near cities where the
traffic is heavier, brick paving would
be preferable, if good material could
be had cheap.
In country districts the main roads
leading to town and connecting one
town with another, should be macad-
amiZed about fourteen feet wide. This
strip should be on one side, leaving
a strip for ditch and row of trees
to prevent washing of the soil. On
the other side a driveway should
be left to be used during the
dry seasons. To have row of trees
on each side of the road would not
only add greatly to the appearance of
the country, but also be of practical
benefit. The planting of and caring
for the trees is in older countries done
under the supervision of the road COM
missioners.
Of course, not every mile of road
could ever be paved or macadamized,
nor is this the object of those advising
improvements. 1t has, however, be-
come an urgent necessity to build good
roads leading to the trade centers. A
!
Omaha to Lincoln, connecting the
principal towns between the two cities,
branching off again in other directions
from Ashland to Wahoo and Fremont,
another road reaching down from the
crossing of the Platte into Cass county,
etc, are needed. These are, of course,
only few instances. Many others,
where the demand for the improve
ment of the roads is more urgent, may
perhaps be found.
But who is to pay for grading, ma
roads? 1t is true that neither the
road districts nor the counties would
provide the means for these improve
ments. If the work was left to the
counties, personal interests are likely
to influence its execution, and at the
best a systematic control could scarce
ly be expected. The state must neces-
sarily assume control of the work.
and provide by legislative enactments
the necessary means, to be refunded
by taxing the districts benefited by
the improvement.
1t has been suggested that prison
work might be employed in the i'm
provement of our public roads. Where
brick paving is to be used and good
clay can be found near the peniten-
tiary, it would certainly be advisable
to employ the prisoners in the brick