Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-11
HOW TO ENSURE GOOD ROADS.
A Civil Engineer Submits a New PROPOSE
ton on the Highway Question.

HOUSTON, VA, March 2, 1894.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
In explanation of my views on the sub
ject of establishing a permanent system
for maintaining and improving the public
roads OF this State, as set forth in pro-
position which / have placed in the hands
OF the Special Committee on Roads. 1
shall begin by assuming that all intelli-
gent and well-informed citizens will agree
that this question IS one of paramount
Importance to the people Of our Com
monweath. In the material advancement
of State or nation her facilities for
transportation must ever form a primary
element essential TO the development of
the natural resources of the country, and
while much depends upon the efficacy OF
the more modern railroad systems. stil
the common highways necessarily retain
their Importance as essential auxiliaries.
indeed, the railroads are to n great ex>
tent dependent for their traffic upon the
facility with which the products which
should naturally be exported from the
different sections can be moved to the
depots over the country roads, and the
necessary imports be distributed where
they are needed. We may go so far as To
assert that the value OF farming land
depends greatly upon the character Of
the highways in its vicinity, this being
fully demonstrated by the fact that in
some counties OF this State lands situated
upon macadamized turnplkes which are
always kept in good condition are worth
and VIII readily sell for double the price
OF lands OF the same character four or
ive miles from these main roads, though
equally near TO railroad stations
1t Is deplorablc fact that no section
OF our country Is more deficient in service
able country roads than our own State,
and this state of affairs comes from the
inadequate system OF road maintenance
which has always obtained since the
foundation OF our State government. AS
suming this TO be true. and no student of
this phase OF our public affairs will deny
It, the situation resolves itself into the
question as To how We can best attain
perfection in a system OF highways
The first and most important question
In the consideration of the subject is that
of economy.
That the people of this State are not
In condition to allaw large expenditures
from which they will get no immediate re-
turn must be kept in mind, While. on the
other hand. IL seems to the writer that a
false idea Of economy in the treatment
OF this subject has led to wasteful ex-
travagance, and has been tho real cause
OF our failure TO effect anything perma-
nent In the way OF road-making. The
amount Of money annually levied IN the
different counties OF the State for expen-
diturc upon the bridges and roads is by
no means small. and the labor which has
been forced by the compulsory labor law.
lately declared void by a court decision.
has represented an expenditure Of at least
half million dollars q year in the State.
Such a fund. II IL had been used in an
Intelligent and scientific manner might
have produced very different results, and
our roads, without having been greater
burden upon the people. would now com
pare favorab!y with those OF some of our
sister States which so far excel US in pub
lie highways. Road-making IL science.
and mas universally been considered as
such since the time OF the Roman empire,
some OF whose highways remain to-day In
tact. as enduring monuments TO the
scientific skill OF the engineers who plan
ned and built them: and this science has
always constituted one Of the most impor-
tant branches OF engineering. Involving
as II does such an immense expenditure
OF money In every locality OF civilized
countries. It would seem that the
very best scientific skill should
be employed In the construction and
maintenance Of roads to insure econo-
micai use Of money and permanent re-
suits. Yet. In this State. presumably to
avoid the seemingly extra cost Of pro-
fessional supervision. the whole amount |
Of money used for this purpose Is placed |
IA the hands Of men totally ignorant of |
even the rudlmonts Of this scieute, ana
In consequences = made practically Of |
no eject. Bgtogog are built. ID many
cassA 10 softDfy Z few whimsieal peti-
tsousy3 vhloh IN not really ueeded. anl
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