The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-08

eran. Sandstone; w. S. Chowan, Chowaa,
Mimi; c. A. Forbes. st. Paul; N. o. Hender-
son, Lanes5orO.
The attendance increased during the
afternoon and the meeting was one or
great interest.
Interstate Park Comm .ssioner George
IL Hazard reported that a carload or
trap rock was at Tdylor's Falls ana
could be used by the association in It's
experiments without disturbing the
scenery Of the park. MI. Hazard STAY
ed that the rock was especially deslra-
BILE for surface work President SUCK
ney, of the Great Western; Hon. >. M.
Owen. Of Minneapolis, and q. II. HaT-
r.son participated in a general discus
sion Of the experiments which are be-
ing conducted by the association on the
grounds. But one opinion was express
ed as to the desirabllity Of the pro-
posed constitutional amendment.
Secretary James G.. Elwen read an
Interesting paper on minnesota 10
Take the Lead Of Western States IN
Road Building" which dealt interest
ingly with local conditions. He SAID:
THAT we are a great state. agriculturally
speaking every one admits. That we nave
within our state limits materials OF the best
quality to build roads equal TO any in the
world few have realized. Mr.. Harrison Is
authority for the statement that at Taylor
Fails there Is trap rock sufficient In quality
10 build the roads OF Minnesota and Iowa.
and that this is the finest material obtainable
for a hard, smooth, durable stone road. At
st. Cloud, Granite Falls, Ortonville and at
other points, granite and other stone OF good
quality for roads is found. Gravel is found
In unlimited quantities in many parts of the
state notably in Hennepn county and about
Mankato containing an adhesive mixture OF
iron.
That the West is looked to as a needy and
ready field fer development in road building
may be seen by the willingness OF the Hon.
James Wilson. secretary Of agriculture, to re-
spond to the urgent call Of Prof. Hays, Of the
experiment station and the Good Roads asso-
citation, in furnishing US with every possible
facility for distributing literature bearing on
good roads, and moro especially in allowing
the Hon E. G. Harrison, special agent and
road expert Of the department Of agriculture.
of Washington, D. c., to come to this state
and learn of the condition and needs. We
believe the work thus inaugurated VIII be
OF very material advantage TO the future de-
velopment Of this state. Few Of US as vet
appreciate the difference between a thoroughly
smooth, hard road ana the indifferent, sandy,
muddy and clay roads which we now have.
All parts Of the state need better roads. Some
are provided with fairly good dirt roads, while
some portions have exceedingly sandy, heavy
clay roads. With our advancing acreage.
immense crops in all lines, together with the
products CT our rapidly developing dairy and
live stock interests, the road problem is get
ting 70 be one which demands the attention
OF every thoughtful citizen of this state. For
our grain products, our hay, potatoes, sugar
beets, and other vegetables and crops, what
a vast difference ii would make If We could
haul three or four tons to a load Instead Of
from l.5CO 10 $500, as we now Go. How much
could be saved for work on the farm
If the large load could be hauled as easily as
the small one, not taking into account the
difference that would be saved in the wear
and tear on horses and wagons and nerva
force. With some $50 creameries in Mime
sofa demanding that milk shall be hauled for
separation each day, allowing that there are
thirty patrons for each creamery and that
they must travel an average Of two and one
half miles to reach the creamery with their
new milk and the same distance to return
home with their skim milk, means that q, 800
farmers must travel distance of more than
l25,CO0 miles each day in the year. It will
thus be seen that the demand for gCod roads
IS constantly increasing with the new and
growing Industry, which calls for so much
additional daily travel.
That a state Of magnificent dist
Ences, necessltatng many thousands of miles
OF road is a fact known to all. That 1t would
be wholly impracticable to attempt TO build
all, or even a large portion. of these roads
with stone CT gravel at once is admitted by
all. With the vast amount Of territory which
we must cover, dirt roads for the most part
must be used for years to come. These,
however. should be built in the very best
manner possible for the amount of money
expended and 1t is part of the aim OF
the Good Roads association to help the farm
ers and road builders TO obtain the best re-
suits from the material at hand, and also by
such contests as are being conducted on the
state falr grounds between different machines
to show to road builders the best, and most
economical methods OF constructing by the
use Of up-tO-date machinery. We believe
It can be easily demonstrated that from four
TO ten times much good road can lie built
by the right use of present machinery as
by the old plan Of using only blows and
Scrapers, and that in most cases the neces-
saTy work Of putting roads into the proper
should The same road in the future be con-
yerted into a gravel stone road as proper
form and shape differ but little for any
good read.
Thorough drainage is the first requisite
for any good road, and this is a point which
IS often overlooked. No road can be perm
aneDt without proper drainage.
AT the last session of the legislature the
Good Roads association proposed an amend
the formation of a small state road fund the
object of which is TO promote the building
Of what might be termed sample, coed, prac-
teal roads in each county Of the state This
amendment will be voted upon at the com
ing fall election, and with the present ont
look will easily carry. Some raise the OBJ
lection to this amendment, feeling that 1t
provides too small fund for the object in
view. But it Is a step in the right direction
was proposed, and should it become a law