The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-22

terested in. They not only travel the
roads in rural towns more than others,
but their annual income depends, TO
considerable extent, upon the condition of
the roads over which they draw the pro-
ducts of the farms. 1t is estimated that
the public roads of the United States ag-
gregate 1, 500, 100000 miles in length.
Estimates of authorities place the total
wagon transportation of the nited State
at approximately 500, 100000 tons. The
average distance haul is placed at eight
miles and the average cost of tran sport
ing one ton this distance is $2. 90, making
the total yearly cost for wagon freight
ing 81, 1000, 100000. 1t is claimed that THIS
freight could be transported over nfs9-
class roads at an average cost OF QUO PEE
ton. On this basis saving OF $ooV, uoo.
COO year in the cost, of wagon transpoiu-
alton could be effected with first CLASS .a,
roads in all sections of the country. lne
magnitude of this saving will be petter
appreciated when it is realized uhab IL
amounts to about one-f0urth OF Gne Vaiue.
on the farm, of all the farm products OF
the United States. In round numbers
the sum of $40. GOO, 0O0,is annually expend :
ed for the maintenance OF our public
roads. outside the Cities This estimate
does not include the cost of permanent
improvements.
The worst feature of this is that at the
end of each year after the expenditure OF
$50, 0O0 900 the roads of the country, as
rule, are no better than they were at the
beEinning; and without a change Of
method tine taxpayers may go on indeh-
nitely paying the enormous sum Tor the
repairing of public highways without Sc
curing improved roads. Under present
conditions and practices all improvements
must come from an increased expense
which we believe the people at this tim
are not in condition to enter into. Our
Maine roads were built by early settlers
from one hill top to another and in many
instances might be very materially I'M
proved by change of location, going
around a hill instead of over it. at COM
paratively small expense. Our present
law, as far as we have been able to learn
and judge, is faulty in the extreme; first,
because the road commissioners are, in
altogether too many instances selected.
not because of their knowledge OF road
building or because they possessed quail
locations for the position, but too often for
political influence or favoritism. The re-
suit is the whole town suffers in cOrSe-
auence of Incompetence, and the highway
fund is practically wasted. One common
fault in our highway system is neglect of
the roads in the spring and fall months,
when by proper oversight in turning the
water hundreds of dollars might be saved
annually, and better roads the result.
submit that in view of our experience
reoentlywith some of the state commissions
are we ready to have state road COM
mission, who shall be given absolute
charge Of our public highways, to expend
our money in pursuit of knowledge, and
'little lunches?"
The maintenance of our public high
ways Is therefore serious problem and
one that requires our earnest attention
and best thought; and it Lehooyes us to
see TO it that money appropriated for
highways shall be judiciously and econ
omically expended, so far as is consistent
with efficiency. and improvement of our
public thoroughfares.