Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-02

Eject of Ordinance Requiring Them
Near Rochester, \. y.
Baltimore Americana

II seems to be generally understood
that something must be done TO improve
our country roads. but the question now
Is. What shall we do?
| live about six miles from Rochester,
y. V, and am constantly driving be-
tween my home and the city. and so | am
not only very much interested in the
question OF road improvement. but have
also had abundant opportunity 10 observe
the effects of weather and traffic on our
present gravel and earth roads, and |
have recently been very much impressed
with the great Improvement effected In
the condition Of the roads simply bv the
use OF wide tires on loaded wagons. says
S. NJ. Harris in the Monroe County On.
y Farmer.
ordinance compelling the use of tires 4
inches wide on all wagons designed to
carry one ton or more. It, therefore,
often happens that some OF the wagons
with wide tires that are used in the city
come out few miles into the country.
The consequence is marked improve
ment in the roads near the city, which,
on account of the heavy traffic on them,
have always been I'm much worse condi-
ton than those further out I'm the coun-
try. These wagons with wide tires, in
stead OF cutting into the road, leaving
ruts and holes to catch and hold the
water until IL soaks in and softens the
whole roadbed, actually improve the road
by rolling 1t down hard and leaving it
smooth. so that any water that falls on
it soon runs off. and does no injury II
such is the effect OF a few wagons with
wide tires. what would be the result II
all wagons carrying heavy loads were
constructed in the same wayP / am fully
convinced that nothing that can be done
would work so much improvement to our
roads with 10 little expense as the use
OF wide tires. Where once tried | think
the wayfaring man, though he be, a mem
Der of our State Legislature. could not
help but see the great advantage to be
derived from their use.
The idea OF State aid In making road
Improvement Is very popular among farm
ers. who seem TO think that they will get
good roads in this way without any trou-
Bile or expense to themselves. But. even
II expensive roadbeds were constructed,
they would soon be rdined unless the use
of narrow tires was prohibited
II seems 20 me, therefore. that the first
thing that should be doae is to enact
State or county laws compelling the use
Of tires at least inches wide on all
wagons designed TO carry a ton or more
that Is used on our public highways. Ar
ter this Is done we can go ahead and
make all the improvements we can afford
10. with the assurance that the work we
DO viii not be rendered useless within a
few wears.
Objection is often made 10 the use OF
wide tires that they will not run in the
ruts. and. therefore. make the wagon run
hard. But II all wagons had wide tires
there would not be any ruts. A wagon
built with tires wide enough to keep the
wheels from cutting into the road will
obviously draw more easily than one that
ploughs through the mud instead OF run
ming over IL.
In England the use OF wide tires has
been general for a great many years and
to this fact is largely due the magnif-
cent condition of the roads there Why
are we 80 slow to adopt this easy and
cheap method of improving our roads?
Let US get out OF the rut," and here
after roll over smooth roads on wide
tree.