The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-11-05
KEEP ON AGITAuiNG.
Ws the Only Way 10 Arouse InteresS
In Good Roads.

Ahe VIM 't. Al dicuSihE iAAcstst ~
the cause OF improved highways has
often surprised those who were con-
'inced o. their importance. and has
'omtd INES discouraged them. II is ten
,ears. nov. since the league instituted
Is active and aggressive good roads
campaign. Great results have been
achieved, but there is yet much to be
lone. There are still extensive rural
districts in which the people are
ipathe tic, IN spite of the efforts OF the
press aud OF organized clubs ali over the
country.
In the more sparsely settled districts,
and especially in many parts OF the
"est. II is claimed that activity in rail-
road construction has prevented ex-
penditure of much energy and capital
in building good roads. The people and
tie state legislatures are interested in
the railway problem; they are agitat-
ing for railroad faciliiies-w working 10
secure them-and until this is accom-
plished the question Of better wagon
roads is in Abe! ance. In the older states,
such as Massachusetts and New Jersey,
where so much has been done, the
growth Of railroad building has nearly
reached its maximum. so that with
their denser population they are in a
position TO take hold of their common
roads.
But even allowing for ali this. ii Is
proylnga task &c awaken all classes
OF the population 10 the positive values
10 them Of better roads. In comment
ing on the conditions that exist in Kan
sas. the Topeka Capitol says that ''the
farmers OF such states as Kansas. where
the roads are as bad as they possibly
can be, and where the loss is heaviest 10
the producers who are obliged To stay
out of The market during an importan,
part % the year because Of impossible
roads. apparently pay 40 attention &c
this all-mportant subject. 1t is the
conservative and careful estimate Of the
government AZ Washington that the
people Of the United States lose every
year no less than 5000. OO0.cc0 by son
Of impossible or defective roads. the
loss being mainly borne by The farmers.
Ii requires the entire wheat crop every
year 10 pay the loss TO farmers occa-
stoned By bad roads. This is no fanci-
full estimate. but Is below rather than
above the truth. Students of road max
ing who are familiar with the results Of
the excellent roads of old world coun-
tries estimate that bad roads cost the
western farmers - per cent. Of every
thing he buys. There is in reality no
subject of more Importance to the farm
ers than road improvement. and there
Is none in which the average farm
er takes less apparent interest. &c
state in the union has more to gain by
active road reform. beginning with the
adoption of wide tires. than Kansas. /;
has been profitable elsewhere TO remit
the road tax of all farmers using wide
tires. and no doubt the same polio,
would work to advantage in this state
The present time is good one TO In
crease the agitation for highway i'm
rrovement. IL the matter is brought
forcibly 10 the attention of the farmers,
they may be made TO realize its direct
Importance to them. Crops are abun-
dant aud find ready sale. With the
coming wet weather and deteriorating
roads will come an object lesson which
should be used by the press and ali
good roads advocates to strengthen
their arguments. The farmer can then
count in dollars and cents the loss en-
tailed on him from inability to get to
market easily and cheaply. He is in
a better position now than he has been
for some time to undertake the work.
No other investment will pay him 80
we'll
In some sections these facts are APP
rreciated and every effort is being made
10 secure road improvements. County
Commissioner Clark. in Pennsylvania.
says: Il have never seen in Allegheny
county such enthusiasm as there is sver
this movement Every body is interest
I'd. The law is well received every.
where. and people go out of their way
tc get the facts before us. The office is
crowded daily with delegations. and the
people meet us when hey know we are
coming and furnish al. the Information
they can. even. as in the case of the
Windgap road. getting up plans at their
own expense" Such conditions offer
great encouragement to further work.
and should prove a strong incentive -
Good Roads.