New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-13
ROADS AND ROAD NENDING.

Soon after The delivery OF the address given
by General Roy Stone on good roads before
convention of educators at Buffalo, in August
last, The Tribune called attention 10 the sig
nificaIce OF the circumstance that an address
Oh such subject should be presented TO such
an audience. and at the same time expressed
qualification that the Importance Of road build
irg and road repairing was TO be impressed Oh
the minds of the rising generation at period
of life when the Impression would be lasting
and would be likely TO produce good results.
We now sec that this address attracted at
tention in England, and in a letter printed last
Sunday our London correspondent used II TO
point moral in reference 10 the necessity OF
constant watchfulness over roads. when once
constructed. in order 10 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 IL is not so generally perceived that their
excellence is largely due to the unremitting at
tentiOn which they receive. Our correspondent
points out in his letter that one OF the most i'm
portant functions of local government in that
country Is The systematic oversight OF roads.
Every County Council! has standing committee
which takes charge OF the highways. and IS
divided into small committees. each with lis
own district 10 look after There is an inspector
for every division OF county, and each in
specior employ force OF road members. VINO
are held responsible for the sections assigned
them. The road mender not only mends the
road on which he is constantly employed but 1t
IS his duty also TO remove all litter and filth.
The English system may well receive the al
tention Of road reformers in this country TO
he sure. the first thing in order here il the con-
struction Of good highways; bit the best'bullt
road will not remain in good condition long
without constant and intelligent care. 1t IL "A
common experience among us TO hear 1t re-
marked that such or such good road-not H.
frequently within few months after its com
pletiOn-is showing signs Of wear, and Is in
need OF immediate attention. Even in our
parks IL frequently happens that the drives
become guttered by rains or the too lavish use
Of the sprinkling-car and weeks or months
will elapse before needed repairs are made. On
some of the fine new roads near New-lork con-
tracts have been entered into for necessary re
pairs and il will surprise no one TO learn that
the views of the contractor Oh the subject do
not coincide with the views OF those who have
occasion 10 use the roads. Under the English
system such things could not happen There
il is universally recognized that eternal vigi-
lance Is the price that must be paid for per-
feet roads In this country We have demon
sirated our abiiity-on far too limited Il scale.
II must he confcsscd-to build good roads We
have vet 10 learn The lesson Of keeping them
good.
Apropos Of General Stones suggestion that
road leagues may be formed among tho older
bows in our schools ana the boys employed as
road members our correspondent well says that
this Is not work Tor boys. bat Tor trained
force Of men employed 10 repair The highways
and keep them clean. While agreeing with this
opinjop. we would not urdcrvalue the impor-
lance Of General stones other recommends
lions as TO the work that may be- done In our
schools In the formation Of public sentiment
i'm favor Of better roads than we now have. and
OF their proper maintenance when they have
been provided According TO this authority
the sum OF $4OOOOOOO is spent annually In this
country in road repairs. Is there in any other