New-York tribune., 1896-01-13
VtTTOV4L WORK FOR GOOD ROADS.

A bill has lust been introduced in the House
Of Representatives and referred to the Commit
tee on Appropriations for the creation or Spc-
cial commission on highways. 1t provides mat
one Senator, two Representatives, the Chicf OF
Engineers of the Army the Director OF the
Geological Survey and the Chief Of Road In
ouirv Of the Department of Agriculture shall
constitute a commission to continue during the
life of the present Congress. to make reports by
bill or otherwise, and to inquire generally how
the Government may promote the Improvement
Of highways by the scientific location of roads
on the public domain, the employment or the
Geological Survey in the discovery Of road ma
tcrials the free testing of road materials, the
construction Of model roads and instruction in
roadmakng At agricultural colleges ana expert
ment stations. the Military Academy. and. when
practicable, at all institutions having military
instructor The commission Is also TO confer
with the Interstate Commerce Commission ana
with railway officials to secure reduced rates
for the transportation Of road materials. and
bv conference with state authorities and organ
jzatlons TO aid In awakening general interest in
road improvement.
At this stage Of the goo roads movement 1t
is not necessary TO speak Of the value or the
work The need Of better highways in the in
terest of all classes is generally recognized. but,
as with every other reform, the chief obstacl" 10
be overcome is the nertncss OF people who Know
what ought to be done, hut who do not know
how 10 do it and not vet stirred up to activity
Local and even State interest in road improve
mcnt can accomplish much but the tendency
I'm every enterprise involving the spending OF
money is for the small body TO hang behind the
larger The natural suppostion would be that
the farmers who use the roads most would be
first To demand their perfection, but they hcsi-
tate to spend more money than neighbOring
communities and it Is only with encouragement
from the state that they can be induced to make
any outlay SO the States need to be aroused
TO n common interest in the subject, and the cill-
zcns need to feel that 1t is n matter OF common
concern until "A town will come To consider IT
n disgrace TO have such roads as are now too
often endured with no attempt at improvement.
II Is not the function Of the National Govern
mcnt TO undertake the construction Of wagon
roads in the States but Mr.. Crisps objection.
made four years ago, that II IL an infringement
OF State rights to inquire into the condition OF
roads in the States and 10 encourage their better
mcnt. is not worthy Of serious consideration.
The educational enterprises or tho lei'ral toy
crnmcni have gone too far for the revival OF the
old internal improvements controversy OF seven
Is Years ago. and II is not proposed 10 repeat
the experiment of those times and build post
roads through tho States with National revenue.
The ,norts II the Department of Agriculture
10 promote local prosperity and distribute us'ful
lnformailnn are ns revolutionary a. the modest
proposal that the Government encourage road
building II this may not be- done. the smith
sonian Institution should be careful not to in
fringe on State prcrogativcs In scicntlhr re-
srarcl The bill before the House demands no
large outlay. II simply approprlat"S $40. '''
being the amount returned 10 the Treasury uneN-
pended from The last two years appropriations
for road inquiry The Office Of Road Inquiry or
the Department of Agriculture has done valuable
work In circulating information regarding I'M
provcmcnis in different States ana hints on
methods ~ construction and repair available
under VARYING conditions. II Is believed by those
who are doing the chief work for improved high
WAYS that the proposed commission would De
n valuable aid in the enterprise, and their opin-
ion Is entitled 10 consideration.