Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-03-24
A NATIONAL HIGHWAY.
THE PROPOSITION TO BUILD A ROAD
ACR OSS THE CONTINENT.

NoStaii system suggested IA
Means of Revcnue-By This Method
Other Great National Thoroughfares
Could Be Built-vast Fund Available.
Much has been written and said of
the proposed great road across the
continent, that was suggested some
time ago by General Leroy Stone, of
the Highway Commission of the De-
oartment of the Interior, and which
ais arguments showed could be built
practically out Of its own benefits.
The great good to the country at
large that would be derived from such
highway cannot be overestimated,
as the proposed plan would bring it
through the principal commercial CEN
Tres of the country. Itwould not only
be universal boon to cyclists, but
farmers and others within miles of its
course would profit from its existence.
In 1861 the British Government es-
tablished q postal savings bank sys-
tenn, and since that time many coun-
tries have done the same, and their
efforts have been crowned with success
in this direction.
It has been proposed that the Uni
led States Government inaugurate O
system Of postal savings repositories
throughout the country, and ques.
ton has arisen in connection Herewith
as to what use the Government could
put the money.
OF course there are many persons
who are opposed to the plan, and
claim has been set up that Uncle Sam
would not have the means by which
all the money that would flow into his
Golfers from mysterious hiding places
and other unique sources, could be
put into circulation so as to be of ben
eft to the people.
Sterling Elliott, Of Boston, one of
the best known authorities on highway
improvements and an unfailing worker
in the cause of good roads in general,
and who was at one time President Of
the League of American Wheelmen,
has suggestion that is well worth
consideration all who believe
that a grand thoroughfare across
the foremost country of the new world
would be an achievement of which the
Government and the people would have
good cause to feel proud
Mr.. Elliott suggests that no better
use could be made of the money to be
derived from the establishment of a
postal savings system than by devoting
it to the cause OF furthering highway
improvements.
The postal savings deposits would
furnish vast fund which would en-.
able the Government to make the
necessary advances, and which could
be repaid in payments running from
ten to twenty years, or such length OF
time as would best suit the convent
ence of those to whom the money was
advanced, and the Government.
Not only this, but other great high.
ways of National importance could be
constructed on a similar basis, and the
benefits to the country at large would
be such as to assume great impor.
tance.
A good bicycle, with decent use, will
last six seasons or more, and pair Of
road tires of fair weight may be rid
den from G000 to 10000 miles on or
dinary roads. An English authority
states that pair of tires in one in.
stance was known to run $4,000 miles
and still be titfor USE This same rule
applies to wagon tires, but, unfortu.
nately, in the outlying districts, par.
ticularly in the South and West, good
roads are at premium. The cost to
farmers in carrying produce to the
markets in the larger commercial CEN
tres is consequently increased tenfold.
With one grand thoroughfare con-
Meeting the Atlantic with the Pacific
Ocean, the saving in wear and tear on
vehicles, not to mention the saving in
live stock, would be enormous. Re-
mote places many miles from this great
route could be reached, for those liv-
ing along such roads would be en-
couraged to keep them in repair, and
when once on the continental road it
would be an easy matter to reach COM
mercial centres. The saving in freight
alone would be enormous, and hereto.
fore unheard Of possibilities for the
use of the bicycle would be developed.
New York Herald.