The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-26
TO IMPROVE THE
COUNTRY ROADS
A Suggestion That the Aid Of the
Federal Government Be Asked.
TO APPROPRIATE EACH YEAR
An Amount Equal to That Now ENpen-
dcd for Pensions and I'm Ten Years
Every Road WonId DC Graded
and Macadamizcd.

BALTIMORE MD. oct 2.-Speciai.-
Colonel J. b. Knlebrcw. n leading rail-
road officer Of Nashville. Ions and inti-
mately identified with the development
OF the South has ln the southern Farm
Magazine" of Baltimore for November.
an interview on good roads IN which
ne takes radical position likely 10 at
tract very general discussion and 10
arouse widespread interest among all
classes. and especially among farmers.
Colonel Kilicbrew says:
'sThe power given in the constitution
20 build post roads ard postonces may
be construed SO as 10 include all roads
made for carrying mails. and under this
provision 10 would be proper fCr the ma
tional government 10 undertake a very
comprehensive system of road building
The advantages OF good roads would be
81 such inestimable value 10 the people
~ large and especially 20 the great aGri-
cultural interest. the foundation II our
national wealth. that the subject de-
msnds the favorable consideration Of the
whole country. The benefits resulting
from the adoption by the government Of
some general plan for building and i'm
proving roads would in every respect be
beneficial 90 the people and 10 the cOun-
try. 70 would furnish employment TO all
the Idle labor OF the country. and this
labor would not be in competition with
the labor now employed I'm industrial and
agricultural pursuits. In fact It would
relieve the congestion I'm the labor mar
kot for some years 10 come and create
work that would be felt an every avenue
OF business While Employed I'm max
ing better roads that labor would lene-
IN every class I'm every community with
out injuring any.
GREAT ADVANTAGE.
1.-The building Of good roads would re-
lieve the congestion Of population i'm
cities by making life I'm the country more
pleasant and attractive. The greatest
drawback 10 country life is the inability
70 move with ease from point 60 point,
owing 10 the muddy roads which are
sometimes impossible for five or six
months IN the year, making such a life
confined and barren OF all social enjoy
ment. placing the country people IN many
sections at such great disadvantage
that ambition g. crushed energies are
weakened. industry paralyzsd and ignO-
rance Is increasing rather than diminish
ing. al least I'm some districts. This
state Of things for which the people OF
the country districts are not responsible,
drives thousands 20 the cities. where they
often suffer privation and poverty. which
lead them into temptation and frequently
into crime.
GOOD roads wherever built would in |
crease the value Of property throughout |
the country. They would make the mar |
kets more accessible and In every way |
add 10 the profit as well as 10 ;he en-
joyment of country life. and thus to the |
moral and material advancement of the 1
nation.
Suppose the General Government
should appropriate every year an amount |
equal TO that now expended for pensions
81 tFFt.fnr the hffttHfWE and Inn
prOVcmeut OF the roads OF the country.
This would give IN round numbers. -
per capita for the entire population of the
United States. a county covering. say. |
TO square miles with a population OF
5000. would receive annually for the |
building OF roads 10000. This continued |
for ten years would grade macadamize
and gravel every road In. an average
county OF this area.
WISE EXPENDITURE.
"WhO would hegrudge the expenditure |
after such roads had been bult, VINO
would not say that the expenditure was
a wise one. clevating in its influence ana |
adding immensely To the tangible wealth
Of the country; We are now paying more |
than this amount on the expenditures OF |
the Spanish war is there single per-
son who would not receive henent from |
good roads far greater In amount than
he now pays In war taxes! Put III IN an
other way. Is there single person now |
using the highways Of the country. or
whose business Is I'm any way auected by |
me traffic on the highways of the country |
and this touches the business interests |
NJ every man and woman in the United |
-tatesl, who would not be willing To pay |
is much for good roads as he now pays
Tor the war with Spain?
"The revenue bill passed by the last |
session OF Congress in order to raise
funds for carrying ON the war promises |
10 WELD a much larger income than VIII |
BE- needed for war expenses Broadly
.tatcd. 81 may be said that the people OF
he country do not feel these war taxes, !
md N this bill should Dee continued I'm ell
cot and the surplus revenue 10 the eN-
emit or saw. 100000 year be voted |
% the Improvement OF the roads through
INT the country. the agricultural interests |
IF every section would be reVoluuonlzed'
arm life would become popular, ana
-ast upward movement would ne given
o every phase and feature OF the Dusl-
logs social and educational Ire OF
America" -. |
The Southern Farm Magazine IN pup.
ishing this article, recognizes the ldct
hat ID As likely 10 provoke very genera
discussion. much opposition ana some
and IL has invited gen
raj discussion of the subject as 10 lls
as well as resarus lne
Wisdom OF such an innovation, apprecat-
ne the fact that the value OF gQod roads
,as not I'm any way been OVerstated by
'olonel Killebrew. and that the farmers
would be the ones most directly benehteu' !