The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-21
Good. Roads, How to Get Them.

Prof H. H. Stone of Emory College. OK
! ford Ga, has published an interesting
and timely pamphlet upon the subject OF
good roads He not only makes strong
argument in favor OF building such roads,
but tells what a good road is, and offers
a plan for securing a system OF good
roads throughout the state. The subject
is of especial interest just at this time,
from the fact that the legislature to be
elected in October viii be called upon 10
deal with the convict problem, and there
is a strong and growing public sentiment
in favor Of putting the convicts to work
upon the public highways. Prof. Stone
is in favor Of working the convicts upon
the roads. but thinks that too
much dependence should not be
put upon that means OF Sc
curing improved highways, because
the plan seems too remote, and the bene-
ut to accrue too far removed" He would
have the state make a commencement Of
the work TO be followed up by the coun-
ties with their convicts.
His plan, briefly, is this: Divide the state
into fifteen road districts, each to be I'M
der charge Of a competent engineer. the
whole number being under chief engl-
neer. Let the engineer crops be under SUI
pervision Of state road commission OF
FIVE members. Let the state issue a suf-
ficIent number of bonds, and with the pro-
ceeds construct two hrst-class roads In
each county one running east and west
and the other running north and south, to
connect with similar roads in adjoining
counties. Let all roads be laid out with
view to shortest routes, easiest grades and
fewest bridges, discarding old routes
where deemed advisable by the corps of
engineers. Let citizens dissatisfied with
the routes selected or materials used by
local engineers appeal to the chief engi-
neer, and to the state board
or road commissioners as a last resort,
the conclusion of the state board to be
final. Require that grades shall be no.
where more than one foot in twenty; that
the roadway shall in no case be narrower
than thirty feet, exclusive of drains or
bitches; that the roadway shall be hard
ened with a surface Of crushed stone not
less than twelve inches thick; that the sur
faces of all roadways shall be above high
water mark; that bridges shall be built
of steel, if practicable, or Of wood On
granite piers Provide that such roads
when built shall be kept in constant re-
pair by convict labor Prof. Stone ex-
presses the conviction that a system of
roads built under such plan would be
paying investment The increased re-
ceipts in the states income arising from
increased tax returns, traceable directly
to better roads, would soon pay off the
bonds issued for road construction, be-
sides keeping them in thorough repair"
he says.
He brings some striking figures to bear
upon the question, would it pay to provide
the state with system of good roads?
In January, 1895, there were on the farms
| of Georgia 26S, 248 horses and mules, having
a value of Sis, s29, 2eS. Estimating the feed
ing of a horse at % cents a day it is seen
that it costs the farmers of Georgia $67.-
Os2 per day and $4O2,372 per week of six
days to allow their horses to stand idle
in their stalls Every person in the coun-
try who owns a work horse knows that
bad roads force a suspension of hauling
for weeks during the run of year. a
few dollars invested in a waterproof COW
ering, II the roads were stone sur
faced, would permit of hauling on the
roads despite the weather. Thus. in few
years, more than the cost of the road I'M
| provements would be saved to farmers,
! not to mention the saving that would re-
suit from the ability of farmers to ac-
complish the same amount Of hauling with
! fewer animals. Good roads, the profess
sor thinks would permit the people of the
state to dispense with one-tenth of their
| draught horses.