Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-24
GOOD ROADS NOTES

Good roads are comparatively cheaper to
maintain and to use than poor ones, and
the sooner this idea is comprehended on
all sides the better it will be.
At least 100000 could be saved by SUBJ
shutting smooth pavements for those now
used in New York, and in any city where
the pavements are on an average poorer
and rougher than they are in New York
1t Is clear that the proportionate saving
by the introduction of the best street sur
faces will be even greater.
The park commission of Springfield,
Mass, has adopted resolution favoring
additional bicycle paths in the parks, and
voted to ask the common council for an
appropriation for doing the work.
The wheelmen Of Pausboro. N. J., de-
feated the anti-bicycle contingent at a re-
cent election, and secured an appropriation
for the building Of 7-foot bicycle path
between that place and Gibbstown, a dis
lance of three miles.
The New Jersey legislature has passed a
bill to aid the counties in purchasing turns
pike roads owned by private corporations,
with the idea in view of acquiring control
of all roads and keeping them in proper
condition.
LAS result of elaborate experiment"
says Col. Albert A. Pope, in a recent
speech, made to ascertain the relative re-
sistance or friction of different pavements,
1t has been established that while 200
pounds force is required to draw one ton
over an ordinary dirt road, 100 pounds Will
do the same on macadam 80 pounds on the
best granite blocks. and Is pounds on
asphalt. AS particular instance of this
it is estimated that in the city of New
York there are 1900 trucks, carrying an
average load of ~ tons for twelve miles
on each of 800 days in the year, at an
average daily cost of 81 for each truck
The result is about 65,0OO,OOO tons trans
ported one mile in every year, at a total
cost of $14.OOO,O00. or at a rate of over
excessive nature of this charge is seen
when 1t is remembered that the same goods
are now carried by rail at a rate of six
tenths of one cent per mile
bill has been introduced in the Penn
sylvania legislature, providing for tax
OF 81 on all bicycles the money raised by
this source to be devoted to the good roads
cause.
A bicycle path between st. Paul and
Taylor.s Falls. Mimi. which will be fifty
miles long, pass through ten townships
three counties and skirt fifteen lakes, is
now proposed. The estimated cost of the
path Is $4,000, and, If completed, it will be
one OF the best and most picturesque in
the country.
According to a bill now before the Illi-
nois legislature committee Of five will
be appointed to superintend the building of
a system of permanent roads in the various
counties In the state, the expense of con-
struction to be divided equally between
the commonwealth. the county and the
owners of abutting property. The material
to be used In the construction is gravel,
crushed stone, brick, burnt clay, asphalt
or other lasting material.
1t has been decided by the board of VII
lage trustees of Jamaica, L. l., to get the
consent of the residents of the town to
bond 1t for 100000 to macadamize roads
within the Incorporated limits
The state of Washington has passed a
bill providing for the reservation and inn
provement of portion of the public high
ways for the accommodation of bicycles
and foot passengers, and providing a PEN
atty for trespass thereon.