Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-02-26
A NEW FIELD.
MODERN vrulcLrs AND GOOD ROADS

I VI
The Scientific American says: The
| United States in some of it, aspects, de-
spite its great population, It's large
cities. wealth and inventive powers, APP
pears susceptible OF further advances
OF late sgitstion In the directions
affecting what may be termed its inter.
nal economies has been manifest, and
good roads for the country districts,
| electric traction lines for country and
city alike, aud improved pavements foI
the cities have been discussed on all
sides by private citizens and by legislat-
ors. Ten years ago the little steam rail-
road, the growth OF little more than q
generation, was pointed To with interest,"
as cause which had rcyolutionized the
world. For in modern times the trans
portation of freight and of passengers Is
the most important business OF human
| iiy. The idea Of steam railroads was
the creation of large units OF Transports
,ion. Great trains OF cars bearing sever
al hundred passengers became the rail-
road managers ideal.
The steam railroad seems TO have
reached pretty nearly its limit, and now
a most formidable competitor Tor local
( tariff has come upon the scene IN the
electric road. The five and six car
steam train is supplanted by number
of single trolley ears run ut frequent IN
tervals.
These matters the capitalists have IN
charge. But the improvement OF roads
and streets affects the municipalities, the
county aud state authorities, and very
directly the individual. For on roads
and streets the horse-drawn vehicles and
the hicycle travel, aud the latter, once
tov. and now an everyday vehicle. l. n
principal cause OF the new agitation.
with good roads All over the face of the
country, and with proper city pave
ments. Il new field of work for the ln-
yen,or is at once opened up. The
horse is being more and more relegated
10 the background. The bicycle surpass-
- him in its powers OF Transporting
humanity. IL illustrates the Immense
reduction OF friction on journals by the
use Of ball bearings. After ball bearings
had settled this part Of the problem, the
rolling friction Il iliculty WAS solved by
the rheumatic tire. and the bicycle, IN
great measure perfected machiue, l.
going into universal use.
In France recently there has occurred
competition between road vehicles
driven bv power. From the early days
of this century repeated efforts have
beeu made 10 produce road machine.
TO the existence OF this machine good
road service j. essential. France Is pc
culiarly adapted 10 its introduction on
account OF her good roads. There the
bicvcle i 10 universal u'e, and the power
driven road wagon may become n part
of the machinery OF transportation.
Ia the United States, with cohblestone
p1yements, aud with sandy and muddy
roads, di,gracing city aud country alike,
much has 10 be cone before the Work oi
producing "A successful traction engine or
carriage can bee accomplished. But the
production of the bicycle has done so
so much 10 facilitate progress, and has
solved 80 many of the mechanical prob
lens of the perfect road vehicle, that 1t
seems pity that the power problem can
not also bc solved. The motor Is now
hat is wanted. Ii must be light. The
bicycle of - pounds weight crrries 2oV
future must be light.
With good roads all through the
country trsversed on bicycles by every
one and With power-driven vehicles for
freight in place of horse aud wagon lie
In the country districts would be revoiu-
tionized. Daily delivery of the mail
and of light express matter would De:
come practicable. and the progress oil
the individual would be favored. But
until good roads come this cannot be-
The trolley road as an approach to the
desired cheap traction has proved wei
come 10 country and suburban dwellers
The advent of a practical power-driven
vehicle, coupled with good roads, would
prove just as welcome and more In con
souance with the vested rights OF the
community in such roads as they pos
cess; rights which are now surrendered
20 the electric road companies with far
too great readiness.