Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-01-03
FARM AND GARDEN.
THE ROAD PROBLEM.
Extract from Paper Road at a wiscon-
sin Farmers, Institute.

Extract from a Paper Road at Wiscon-
sin Farmers Institute.
The present system of paying high
way taxes, figuratively designated as
'sworking them OUT is admittedly
bad and can be easily remedied. but
an attempt to make a change in this
direction would undoubtedly meet
with opposition, hence 1 have avoided
discussing that subject, preferring to
Let the several propositions stand
alone and be discussed and considered
on their respective merits. The sub
ject of good roads has received so
much discussion in the public press
lately, and there seems to be such
uniform consensus of opinion that
something must be done in this direc-
ton, little more remains to be done
than to devise some general plan
which shall not only be feasible but
generally acceptable. Good roads
mean a great deal more than mere
convenience. They mean more than
saving money, which, however, is
matter of no small Importance. They
mean more intimate relationship be-
tween the city and country people, to
the mutual advantage of both. They
mean that living in the country for
six months in the year shall not be
practical isolation.
Poor roads keep the farmer and his
family at home at that season of the
year when they have the most leisure,
when time hangs heavily. when it
could and would add to their enjoy
ment socially. and advantage educa-
tional1y, if frequent drive to the
town or city. or visit among the
irrhl f,~so lc ~ = Sc
tance of a few miles, could be taken.
The longing of many young men and
women TO escape from the farm is
. largely traceab1e to the isolation
caused by the mud embargoes. Good
roads mean better prices for the farm
ers located few miles away from the
market town, because the present con-
dition of the highways compels the
marketing of the products of such
farms at the times when the roads are
good and the market prices usually
lowest. Good roads would permit the
average purchaser of farm produce
living in towns and cities to buy his
stock of such articles at lower price
than at present.
Indeed it seems to me that no more
important topic in a financial and So
cial way has of late engaged the at
tention of the public. If, then, this
subject is of such prime Importance,
the necessity of moving with great
care will be apparent. AS indicated
above, it seems to me wisest to com
mence with system of country roads
branching out from the county towns.
ultimately to extend from county seat
to county seat. The enterprise being
of such general public interest to the
people of the whole state, uniformity
in plan and entire freedom from local
influence in the selection Of a route or
the acceptance of work done being SO
important to general success of the
undertaking, the making of the plans
and surveys, and in a measure the
general superintendent, should be
under the direction of state en-
gineer, whose expenses should be
borne by the state at large. Subject
to the general supervision of the state
engineer, the management of the i'm
provement should be under the con
troll of the county board OF other
county official within their respective
counties.-C. E. Estabroolz.