Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-27
MAKING GOOD ROADS
Outlines of General Roy Stones An
nual Report.
work At EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS
Object Lessons Prepared for the
People.
WORK OF THE FUTURE

In his Forthcoming annual report to Sec
rotary Wilson of the Department of Agri-
culture General Roy Stone, chief of the
office of road inquiry, gives some interest
ing information regarding the work I'm
ished in the twelve months.
The report states that many successful
meetings were held in the various states
The literary work has included twenty
bulletins and fifteen circulars of Informal
ton. which have been greatly sought for.
General Stone states that the distribu-
ton has been greatly hampered by the
regulations placing price upon the bull
letins. He begs to renew the suggestion
that the publications be placed upon the
footing of the farmers bulletins.
In response to the Secretary's injunction
to push the practical side of the work in
preference to the academic, General Stone
says he has reduced the force in the office
and made such arrangements as he could
for the outside work of object lesson road
building, and also, as he desired, endeavor
has been made to promote experiment in
steel roadways. No funds being provided
by Congress for actual road construction
1t is stated it has been found necessary
to carry on road building by means of
contributions from those interested-agri-
cultural colleges and experiment stations
the citizens concerned and the manufac-
turers of road implements and machinery
the office contributed only a small in
staliment of the expenses, but kept full
control of everything.
Two sections of road were built at the
agricultural college and experiment sta
ton in New Jersey in the month of June.
Government Road Building.
In the present fiscal year the work of
object lesson or government road building
has been continued at Geneva, N. Z, and
road one and half miles long, connect
ing the agricultural experiment station
with the city, Is nearly completed. The
attention Of the public and of the road
ofhcials of the state was invited and
hundreds visited the place.
Machinery has been shipped to Kingston,
X. l.. for a road at the Agricultural Col
lege of that state Road Expert Harrison
has taken charge also of building a short
length of road at Warren. Pa, and has
built small sample at Ithaca, N. Y.
In response to circular letters sent to
the principal steel manufacturers in the
United States, various plans of construc-
ton have been offered and the Cambria
iron works Of Pennsylvania specially join
ed with the office in the development of
such plans
Gen. Stone states that on investigation
he has confirmed his previous opinion that
well-designed steel tracking can be SUE
cessfully built and will be profitable to
use and maintain, especially in localities
where other road materials are scarce.
The expense involved in preparing to roll
special shapes of rail has hitherto prevent
ed much experiment in this direction, but
the Cambria Iron Company is disposed to
aid in the matter, and will undertake the
expense whenever a definite order for one
mile of road is received. The cost of ma
terial for mile of road will be $500.
Gen. Stone says 1t will probably be neces-
sary to ask Congress for an appropriation
for the purpose.
The work in hand will exhaust all the
funds from this years appropriation, I'M
less something additional is provided to
meet the many demands of the agricul-
tural colleges and experiment stations for
government roads.
Aid From the Government.
Gen. Stone gives it as his opinion that If
the manufacturers remain willing to fur
nish the machinery free, an expenditure by
the government of from $500 to $500 for
each locality will be sufficient to call out
enough local help to build from 5000 to
$4,000 worth of road at most of the 116
agricultural colleges and experiment sta
tons. and any required number of outfits
can be placed in the field at once In case
additional funds are provided early In the
coming session of Congress- this work can
De carried on in many Of the southern
states during the winter.
Regarding the work of 1899, Gen. Stone
says 1t will continue to be of the same
character, but will evidently require much
larger means. If no additional appropria-
tion is made for 1893, that for 1889 could
profitably include at least 5000 for con-
struction OF experimental steel roads and
10000 for object-lesson roads, in addition
TO the 5000 required for office and gen.
eral expenses. The detailed estimate of
expenditures to be made during the fiscal
year ending June 80. 1899, makes a total of