The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-17
ROADS AND ROAD MENDING.
TFrom the New York Tribune.l

IF'rom the New York Tribune-1
Soon after the delivery Of the adj
dress given BY Gen. Roy Stone on good
roads before a convention Of educators
at Buffalo in August last. the Tribune
called attention to the significance Of
the circumstance that an address on
such a subject should be presented to
such an audience. and at the same time
expressed qualification that the impor-
lance of road building and road re-
pairing was to be impressed on the
minds of the rising generation at a
period of life when the impression
would be lasting and would be likely
to produce good results. we now see
that this address attracted attention in
England. and in letter printed last
Sunday our London correspondent used
it to point a moral ia reference to the
necessity of constant watchfulness over
roads. when once constructed. in order
to keep them in first class condition.
The perfect roads of England arouse
the notice and admiration Of all who
see them and the thoroughness with
which they have been constructed is
often commented on. Tt is not SO gen
orally. perceived that their excellence is
largely due to the unremitting atten-
ton which they receive. our CORES
pondent points out in his letter that
one of the most important functions Of
local government in that country is the
systematic oversight of roads. Every
county council has standing commit
tee which takes charge of the highways
and is divided into small committees.
each with its own district to look after.
There is an inspector for every divis-
ion Of a county, and each inspector
employs a force Of road members, who
are held responsible for the sections
assigned them. The road member not
only mends the road on which he is
constantly employed, but it is his duty
also to remove all litter and filth
The English system may vel re
ceive the attention of road reformers in
this country. To be sure, the first thing
in order here is the construction Of
good highways. but the best built road
win not remain in good condition long
without constant and intelligent care.
Tt is a common experience among US
to hear it remarked that such or such
a good road-not infrequently within
few months after its compIetion-is
showing signs Of wear ana il ia need of
immediate attention. Even in our parks
it frequently happens that the drives
become guttered by rains or the tooIav-
ish use of the sprinkIng cart and weeks
or months viii elapse before the needed
repairs are made. On some of the fine
new roads near New york contracts
have been entered into for necessary
repairs. and it viii surprise no one to
learn that the views of the contractor
on the subject do not coincide with the
views of those who have occasion to
use the roads. Under the English such
things could not happen. There it is
universally recognized that eternal
vigilance" is the price that must be
paid for perfect roads. In this country
we have demonstrated our ability-on
far too limited a scale it must be con
fessed-to build good roads. We have
yet to learn the lesson Of keeping them
good.
Apropos of Gen. Stones suggestion
that road leagues may be formed
among the older boys in our schools.
ana the boys employed as road mend
ers, our CORES ondent viii say that
this IS not work for boys. but for
trained force Of men employed to re-
pair the highways and keep them clean.
While agreeing with this opinion. we
would not undervaIue the importance
of Gen. Stones other recommendation
as to the work that may be done in
our schools in the formation of public
sentiment in favor of better roads
than we now have, and of their proper
maintenance when they have been pro-
vided- According to this authority the
sum Of s4o,o00.0oO is spent annually in
this country in road repairs. Is there in
any other department of activity less
to show for a proportionate outlay?
Weather Indications.