The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-07-02

Anu Mo IL pollo III oo-pNs o~0Pf
Such fine highways cost money
You are asking half the road
When 1t comes to paying for them,
viii you carry half the load?
There's growing army OF you,
Some say half million strong,
viii you each chip in dollar,
. For to help Good Roads along?
II you will, and do 1t yearly,
Wen have solved the problem quite.
Ev'ry time you pay your mighty
We will also pay our mite,
Which we'll pay instead Of working,
As our habit Is to do,
And when your side Is finished up,
You'll find ours finished too"
VIII Templer, In American Agriculturist.
Recommended In Rhode Island.
Governor Dyer, of Rhode Island. is
q thorough believer in good roads, and
has done much to aid the good work
for them in his State. He comes out
in favor of q Highway Commission and
continuous work, in his message to the
legislature, as follows:
''The question of improved high
ways has ceased to be one that can be
disregarded. Every educational and
material interest of the State requires
it. Better rural schools, increased
value of farm products, increased value
of property, possible rural postal de-
livery, cheaper transportation-all en-
ter as important factors into this ques-
ton. In short, the welfare of our
people demands that good roads should
be made and maintained throughout
the State. The presence here of Mr..
E. g. Harrison, Government Road En-
gineer, and his work of bodybuilding
at the Rhode Island College Of Agri-
culture and Mechanic Arts, has been
most helpful to the cause. During
the fall and early winter months meet
ings to consider the subject have been
held in great many of the towns and
the greatest interest has been mani
tested.
"Under the provisions of Chapter
IS Of the General Laws, three sample
half-miles of macadamized road have
been completed during the past year,
making total of twelve, which have
been built at cost Of $50, 154. 90, and
applications for seven more have been
made to the Highway Commissioners.
The agitation of the subject of good
roads has brought out the fact that
the present law for the improvement
Of highways is defective and expen,
sive. The State wishes no more sam.
ple half-miles. It cannot afford to ap'
propriate any more money simply fo'
object-lessons.
.'Under q commission proceeding
upon carefully considered lines. the
work of improving the principal high
ways of the State should be made con
tinuous. It seems to be the feeling
throughout the State that, in the i'm
provement of these principal high
ways;sthe State should assume three
quarters, and the towns through which
the highways run one-quarter, Of tn
expense.
sBy making the work upon the high
ways continuous the State will be in
position to secure more favorable bids
and from large contractors, wei
equipped with the latest road machin
cry and appliances. In the genera
Improvement of -FOUR highways tn
rough labor, the manual work, SHOULD
be given to our own citizens and q
fair and honest wages"
Rural Mail Delivery and Good Roads.
4, There is prospect that the Nations
Government may get behind the goo
roads movement in . peculiarly etfec
tive way. If the price of free mail de
livery to the farmers is to be the cor
struction and maintenance OF mao
sdamized country highways it is bt
lieved that the thrifty agriculturis'
will not hesitate to pay it.
The indifference Of Congress to 81
peals for interstate highways and th
naturalization of farmers to construt
! roads 'for the benefit Of the CIT
wheelmen" have operated as serior
handicaps to the good roads NOV
ment in this country. In spite
these obstacles, however, substanti
progress has been made in road buil'
ing in States where the farmers haE
awakened to the fact that while smoo'
highways may add to the pleasures
wheeling Che greatest benefit isreape
BY agriculturists in being brougf
closer to profitable markets.
But the strongest stimulus to ros
budding is yet to come. If the O
', periments in free rural mail deliver
, inaugurated by the postal departures
, are a success, they will establish
|. basis Of cooperation and reciproci
|. between the Government and Il
! farmers that will lead to gener
movement in the building Of int
/. urban highways all over the countr
! With the view of testing the Ell
: | cheney of different styles of roadb'
!. Postmaster General Gary has authe
! lied the opening of routes for Fl
rural mail delivery through porto
of New Jersey and Pennsylvani
: which embrace macadamized, gray,
9 clay and common dirt roads. L
d routes are intended to be experime
7 tai, and will show relatively up
Y what character of roads the best
, suits can be obtained in the way
q prompt and efficient service.
rvyr L 4 - e. -