The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-03-27

IMPROVED HIGHWAYS.
Fact Brought Out at the Recent National
Road Parliament.

Eoct Brought Out at the Recent National
Road Parliament.
The movement III favor of better
Eroads. which has been prosecuted with
.such vieor in this country during the
past two or three years. has already
horne good fruit III several states. I'm
der the law passed by the last leg;s-
Nature in Connecticut for promoting
rood roads about 30 have been COM
Elected in the state, of which Is have
$lreadv been accepted by the state road
commissioners. Some rs towns out OF
he 16S in the state will probably avail
themselves soon of the provisions of
he act, which provides that the state
hall pay one-th;rd the cost of a new
load. the county oHe-third and the
Down one-third-no town to expend
hore than $4,000 in ONE year under th.,
bct. and the state not to spend in one
near more than $4,000 altogether. The
law REQUIRES "a Inacadamized road or
4 telford or other stone road, or other
load that will at all seasons of the year
Be firm, smooth and convenient for
Then built. Many valuable and inter-
sting facts and figures connected with
ne Improvement of roads were brought
hit at the recent national road parlia-
hent at atlanta. The reports showed
bat Massachusetts, leads in good road
baking. with an annual appropriation
81 100000 in state road building, dis
ffibuted under the direction of her
Commission. New Jersey, which has
zen considered the banner state for
bod roads, in addition to many miles
81 county roads, reported progressive
Improvement under her state aid law,
ia appropriation for which is now
10000. In some of the states of the
Mest, and in many states of the south,
nbuntry road building has progressed,
specially south, by the use of convict
16bor. California has done no road
bnilding, because of the problem of
cal centers of population being sepa-
fAed by long distances of unsettled
e6hntry. New York has taken step in
aavance by the appointment of a COM
IS ssion to investigate the subject of
Id roads and devise some plan for
Isislative adoption.
The resolutions adopted by the par
lament at Atlanta urged the formation
8 good-roads associations in all states
here none now exist. The agricul
fnral department was commended for
tI.e interest it has taken and the prac-
E&o1 f,,y Cd
Id regard to road building. The con-
auction of roads was claimed to be q
upper work for the state, alone or in
f6pperation with counties, townships
I'd municipalities. The resolutions
iafored the adjustment of the practice
fAsessment, urged the use of wide tires
a11 commended the utilization of penal
pr in road construction. The par
shent, looking with disfavor upon
1lsde fences, asked for the passage
M state laws which will protect farms
sh trespass and encourage the re-
N4Fal of expensive fence lines along the
ALWAYS, where not necessary to IN
<se pasturage. Congress was asked
tsurvey all public lands before sale
ioE the establishment of the necessary
Us of highways.
III Improvement of the public high
WaEs is a matter of vital interest to all
e|es ses and conditions of people. 1t
e very large and direct relation to
be individual and commercial welfare
gEkVery community. Nothing of a ma
ga sort is more conducive to the COM
EQFb pleasure and prosperity of a peo-
~ than wide, smooth and well-kept
Is and streets.
b. subject of good roads has recent
Il Rken firm hold in the public mind,
R4a advance steps to secure improve
~ in this important direction have
ne1p taken in many sections both of
1AN and neighboring states. 1t does
44zed begin to look as if the people had
"a mined to no longer remain con-
* with thoroughfares which were
" pee disgrace to them and a severe
<Nx upon all their forms of industry.
zHHF have been slow to move in the
.'N. FER, but now that they have, we be-
='N that the work will be done thor
4NNRly and right Christian Work.