Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-10-02
BETTER HIGHWAYS.

The Farmer was one of the first to
champion the good roads problem, and
proposes To keep up the agitation until,
Throughout the country towns ~ well ~
villages and cities, the beauty and at
Effectiveness Of Maine Ia made possible,
and the expenses of marketing reduced
by smoother, harder, better highways.
When one psuses to consider what this
means, and the almost Infinite variety
of soils To b. met with, In nearly every
town, the task seems almost beyond
human achievement. On the other
hand, when one notes the direct ne well
az Indirect good already secured through
discussion and agitation, the way opens
at once Tor further action.
Gu every hand there L. evidence Of q
growing demand for legislation upon
this question, aud In this turks q possible
danger. Legislation looking to the
appointment Of commission which
shall Investigate, advise and report, will
b. In the line of Improvement, provided
the members composing that commis-
sion are practical business men who
know the state aud are familiar with lts
soil formations. To attempt any rigid
line of action would b. Ia invite failnre.
The light sandy roads OF Androscoggin
County require altogether different
treatment than the hard clay of WASH
lngtou, aud the ledgy, hilly roads of
Franklin and Oxford can hardly he
treated the same "a the limestone forma-
tions of Aroo.took. Certain rules can
Be laid down for universal practice, and
10 these there cap b. no exception;
Lot. Make large, open bitches on each
.ide the road, with free escapes for all
water.
ID. See to Il that these bitches and
their openings do not become clogged by
leaves, but are open when the ground
closes.
81. Before freezing time see that the
CENTRE of the highway IL the highest,
and that no opportunity IL allowed for
surface water Ia flow In from either side
Ia find a channel In the driveway.
These three simple rules will work
wonders between November and May,
and all this Ia possible With any sur
yeyor. BEYOND this, II little time IL
taken to 90 over each district and rak.
out the loose stones, comfortable high
way will be made possible In every local.
hy.
II l. useless to discuss the question IL
mAcadAmlTed roads through the country
towns at present, much A. they are Ia
b. desired. The work for the prcss of
the state !. to agitate the question and
arouse the public mind to a realization
of What can b. done with the mean.
nov si hand, aud of the nec~ssity for
l.. - hss
firc on this line of action until winter
closes In upon u.
Tbere L. another feature of this que--
tion morc difilcult to control, and that
relates to expenditures. The hlghes,
ambition of the average -electman seems
to bc to turn over to the town st its
annual meeting an unexpended highway
balance. Every other department can
b. o,erirawn II necessary, but this the
most important to-day because of It, far
reaching effects, must be pared Ia the
lowest possible notch. The amount
~ money available for highway purposes
must H. Increased In nearly every town,
and the expenditure ~ the same put
into the hands Of business men full of
road sense. every dollar Ia BE- strictly
accounted for. The road machine aud
the superintendent of highways can
work wonder. without further legisls-
tion.
A. roads improve, and the moving
capacity of the team increases, the
financial saving Ia the individual farmer
will begin To b. apparent. Nothing
short ~ thi. can demonstrate the fact.
A. attention I. given thl. question, and
the hllly sections oi Maine made easy cf
access, the attractiyeness Of these To-
calltle. will Insure increased travel and
more summer homes. Keep up the agi-
tation of the road problem.-Maine
Farmer.