Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-06-06
GOOD ROADS.
DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM OF
BETTER HIGHWAYS.
Economy Of Good Roads Shown by
Europe-Should the National
Government Undertake the
Work-Cost Per Mile.

possessed by lnlS country, ~ ~
der that a system equal to the
best in Europe may be had, it would
be necessary to build or rebuild about
one million miles, reasonable estl-
mate of the cost of which is $4,000
mile, or $4O0, 100000 for the whole
country. Enormous as must be the
cost of constructing system OF first
class highways, it would appear that,
in their present deplorable condition,
the roads are expensive almost be-
yond comparison. According to the
census bureau, there we're in the
country June /, 1890, 14,976,Ol7
horses, 2,246, 1886 mules and 40, lO9
asses. A prominent authority gives
twenty-five cents day as his estimate
of the cost Of feed for each animal.
Taking this as basis the expense OF
feeding this vast number for single
day aggregates over $4,318,0 900 or
more than 81, SIG, 900, 600 in one year.
It is said that on the smooth stone
roads Of certain European countries
dog can move heavier load than is
drawn on an average in this country
by horse, and that horse there
pulls easily three times as heavy loads
as equally good American animals
move with difficulty. A conclusion
which many, no doubt, will draw from
this is that about one-third of the pres
emit number of horses would give bet
ter service with first-class wagon roads
than is now enjoyed. However, IN
view of the fact that a considerable
share of these animals is owned in the
cities, where there are more or less OF
good pavements, the number could be
reduced only one-half instead OF two
thirds. This would mean lessening
of the feed expense Of $7SS, 900, 900
year.
The average earnings Of capital in
the United States are about three per
cent. On this basis the unnecessary
expense of $7ss, 900, 900 in maintain
ing what would, with good roads, be
surplus stock, represents the interest
on an average investment Of more than
500, 900, 0O0,O 900. This is more than
six times the investment required for
the building Of 1000, 900 miles good
stone roads at cost of $4,000 mile.
It is inconceivable to many how the
idea can be entertained for moment
that the construction and maintenance
of highways can be safely intrusted to
individuals or private corporations for
gain. Only little in advance of this,
it is declared, however, is the so-called
subdistrict road supervisor system.
County control, as a rule, shows still
. marked improvement over the two
plans named, and wherever the States
have entered into the field of road
building with effective legislation an
even greater improvement is noted.
But of all roads ever constructed in
the United States those which the
National Government has built I'M
auesticnably are or have been the
best.
A striking illustration of the COM
parative merits of National and local
management of public roads is to be
found in Germany. The best roads of
that country were built by the States
which now constitute the Empire
while they were yet Independent king
doms, and they were thus the creations
of National Governments. Absorbed
into the Empire, the States were no
longer distinct Nations. What had
been National before to them now
sunk to the rank of the provincial
The roads had been constantly i'm
proved previous to the formation Of
the Empire. Now narrower and
cheaper roads are built, and the high
ways Of the Fatherland, excellent as
they are, do not compare favorably
with those of France, over which
National authority is exercised.
Until recently the inhabitants OF
cities in this country have generally
regarded the building OF country
roads as an undertaking which be-
longed to the farmer alone, the ex-
pense of which he should bear. o.
late, through natural causes and the
general agitation of the question, o
better understanding has been reached.
The mud blockades in the various Sec
tions of the country in the last few
years have served to bring merchants
of towns and smaller cities to raaliz
ing sense of what bad roads mean
Three years ago the merchants of al
Ohio city Of 80, 900 inhabitants lost OF
account of muddy roads, in two weeks
of the holiday season over 500, O0(
of trade. Smaller cities and towns, O
course, suffered still more in proper
ton, being more directly dependent
upon the trade which the farmers sup
piled.
The quickest and most satisfactory
and in fact the only sure way to Sc
cure good public highways Throughout
the country, in the opinion of many
is for the National Government t
step in and exercise its rightful au
thority. There exists in the countr,
strong sentiment adverse to the is
suing Of additional National bonds
Can the roads be built without run
ming the Government into debt? B.
building reasonable portion of th
--.x- .,~t.1 I'll o1o1 Ior,