The sea coast echo., 1898-06-25
Recommended in Rhode Island.

has done much TO aid tho good work
for them in his State. He comes out
in favor of Highway Commission and
continuous work, in his message to the
legislature, as follows:
'The question of improved high
ways has ceased toibe one that can be
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..
Il. G.. Harrison, Government Road En-.
gineer, and his work Of road-building
al 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 boon
held in great many of the towns and
the greatest interest has been mani
tested.
"Under the provisions of Chapter
73 Of tho 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
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.
pie half-miles. It cannot afford to up.
propriate any more money simply for
object-lessons.
"Under commission proceeding
upon carefully considered lines. the
work Of improving the principal high.
ways of the State should be made con.
tinuous. Ttseems to be the feeling
throughout the State that, in the i'm.
provoment Of these principal high
ways, the State should assume three
quarters, and the towns through which
the highways run one-quarter, of the
expense.
"By making tho worknpon the high.
ways continuous the State will be in q
position to secure more favorable bids,
aud from largo contractors, well
equipped with the latest road mnchin-
cry and appliances. III the general
improvement OF our highways The
rough labor, the manual work, should
be given to our own citizens and al
fair and honest wages"
Rural Mail Delivery and Good Roads.
There is prospect that the National
Government may get behind the good
roads movement in peculiarly elfec.
tive way. II the price of free mail de
livery to the farmers is to be the con
struction and maintenance of mae
adamized country highways il is be
lieyed, that the thrifty egriculturistt
will not hesitate to pay it.
The Indifference Of Congress to MP
peals for interstate highways and the
disinclination OF farmers to construct
roads "for the benefit OF tho city
wheelmen" have operated as serious
handicaps to the good roads move
ment in this country. In spite ol
these obstacles, however, substantial
progress has been made in road build
ing in States where tho farmers have
awakened to the fact that while smooth
highways may add TO the pleasures Of
wheeling the greatest benefit is reaped
by agriculturists in being brought
closer TO profitable markets.
But the strongest stimulus to road
building is yet to come. If the ex.
periments in free rural mail delivery
inaugurated by the postal department
are success, they will establish O
basis of cooperation aad reciprocity
between the Government and the
farmers that will lead to a general
movement in the building of inter
urban highways all over tho country.
With the view OF testing the eff
cheney of different styles OF roadbed
Postmaster General Gary has author.
lied the opening of routes for free
rural mail delivery through portions
Of New Jersey and Pennsylvania,
which embrace macadamized, gravel,
clay and common dirt roads. The
routes are intended to be experimen.
tai, aud will show relatively upon
what character of roads the best re.
suits can bo obtained in tho way Of
prompt and efficient service.
There is little doubt that free mai
delivery is just as practicable in many
Of our more thiclkly populated rural
Communities as it is in England. The
continuance OF the service, il success
full, should be dependent upon tho
proper maintenance OF the roads. i
tho farmer wants his mail delivered al
his door he must contribute his share
to the building of passable highways
Chicago Times Herald.