The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-10
DISCUSSED GOOD ROADS
CHAIRMAN D6RNER SHOWS THE
PURPOSE or THE l.. A. ~.
The Agitation as Affecting the Former
secretary stshi Pleads for state Ala.
Good Roads as Civilizer.

Whcemen to the DISCUSSION OF h""N
roads. A number OF papers on the va
fious branches Of highway Improvements
were read by delegates prominently en-
gagged in the furtherance. OF the WORK.
Mn OTTO Dorner Chairman OF the Ma
,ional Committee for Highway improve
mont l.. A. w. said in part;
FARMERS sKEPTIcAL.
Farmers have been skepticai about the
good roads agitation conducted oy the
l. A. W. and with reason, ne ne i nnn,,la,
ZION vet they have had to build roads
Tor all OF us 10 use. They nave suus
yled along NJ the roads doins the Dcss
they could in their own peculiar way, anu
when city people and wheeimen began
10 contend that country roads should oe
radically improved, farmers nave very
naturally been led to believe tnat their
burden of responsibility was 30 be IN
creased and that their road taxes were 10
be multiplied. while the extent ana char-
acter OF the proposed improvements VIZ VIZ
10 be dictated TO them. They nave lelt
Al unjust that they alone should DC eN-
pected to gridiron the United states Win
stone roads at their own expense, Whli-
The construction OF canals has been heaN-
lis subsidized. while rivers have beer,
made navigable by the government anc
while untold millions have been showered
upon railroads by cities. villages couh,
ties. States and the natien, In stock AMI
bond subscriptions. cash donations anu
grants Of boundless tracks OF public
lands This sense Of injustice has been
at the root OF the farmers skepuclsm OIL
the good roads movement.
LEAGUES PURPOSE.
But Il Is not the purpose OF the League
OF American Wheelmen TO have the farm
or bear the cost of road Improvement
and to take its control out OF the iatih-
ers hands. We believe that the FARMER
should have a great deal. yes. nearly
everything. TO say upon the subject. we
believe that the cities should stand their
share Of the cost Of good roads. rms Is
the purpose of our efforts for State aid.
our aim is TO see liberal share of the
expense paid out Of the State tax. large
part Of which would be paid by the large
corporations and wealthy capitalists an OF
whom will be benefited by good roads.
both directly and Indirectly. Proper SUI
pervision should be established 20 pre-
vent waste OF road Improvement funds.
Every dollar spent must be made 10 pro-
duce a dollars worth OF improvement.
The roads first TO be Improved are those
leading from the farm TO the market and
the railway stations. the roads over Wnlch
the farmer hauls his produce. and by the
Improvement Of which millions upon NIL
lions Of dollars can be saved him each
year. This must not be forced upon him'
the farmer himself must be given the IN
itiatiye and must determine what inn
prOvements shall be made Laws for ROAD
Improvement must be permissiye In their
nature: not mandatory. This is the sys-
TEN Of State cid which Is 50 popular
IS our policy 10 Introduce in other States.
TIE FARMER.
Far from intending 10 antagonize the
farmer. we are endeavoring to help him.
We want to help him get out Of the mud,
and want to help him 10 avoid shoulder
ing an unjust burden Of taxes in getting
out. ANY policy Of road Improvement
which is not in the farmers interest Is
not our policy. We do not propose 10
sec roads built AT the farmers expense
a.. |atfs az tho
wheelmen. ana any man or body OF men
seeking TO establish such a policy. Wheth-
or they be real estate companies. bicycle
clubs. or any others, viii find us IN oppo-
fitOn standing shoulder TO shoulder WITH
the farmers. Our aims and purposes are
now coming 10 be better understood. Tho
past year has shown the agricultural So
cictes and farmers institutes secOnding
the work Of the League IN the Leeisla-
lures of eight dinerept States. The Farm
ers National Congress and other agri-
cultural bodies have passed resolutions
Cogmending our good roads work. The
movement for state aid has become IA
miliar 10 them In their discussions. and
has won their hearty approval Another
year or two will see the passage Of State
aid laws in many States. IA response TO
The united demand Of tho League OF
American Wheelmen ana the farmer or
g9nizatiOns.
Professor John Hamilton. of Harris
burg. Pa. president OF the National As
fofldINH OF = NlUltlT lUrUAhAfrs ufliN
cred an address.
THE ELECTION.
The interest i'm the election has risen
60 fever heat. The New York delega-
ton has posted bulletin board in their
headquarters. on which is marked down
every vote as fast as il Is pledged for
Potter.
At o'clock the board read 276 votes
pledged.
That President Potter will be elected
6 confidently expressed on an sides. and
speculation is now being made on his
majority Everything Is in readiness TO
the opening session Of the assembly to-
morrow morning Most of the delegates
have arrived.
Tonight a banquet was held in the
dining hall OF the Southern. and the
festivities were continued until midnight.
Mr.. John NJ. stahl. secretary Of thu
Farmers National Congress. said In part:
STATE AID
State aid. as means for improving
farm roads. would DE both just and ct-
fectiVc. That farmers should bear all the
cost OF road making r. nnjust-otherS
share I'm the benefits OF good roads. Good
roads decrease the cost of transportation.
and the economy benefits all classes-thg
farmer gets more for his products Oh the
farm the consumer pays less i'm the city.
The city producer gets more for his prod
nets. the farmer pays less. II roads were
generally good. tho railways would not
suffer from freight famnes ana freight
blockades. a. now. Many small mills
having a local trade are forced To he idle
at times because the farmer cannot haul
grain Ia them. With good roads the
mills could operate continuously benefit
ing the mill owners and the mill workers
directly, and all the merchants and other
business men. because Of thu circulation
81 the money paid tho workers and the
farmers. II has been pointed ont by r.
commercial authority that mol infre-
dGently the stringcncy In the money mar
ket, as we'll - the lcSsened seaSonable
business of the great centres. II due 10 (.
mud blockade. City people use roads Tor
driving, riding and bicycling.
a CIVlLIZER
Good roads. lessening the isolation on
farm life. would lessen the movement OF
farm population 10. the city, hence tho
congestion OF city Industries would be re-
lieved and better wages would prevail
while the increased agricultural produc-
zion would make cheaper food for city
people. II will be seen that all classes and
Industries and corporations would be ben
efited by good roads. hence IL is only jus,
that they should contribute to the cost
OF good roads. and the only feasible eqGi-
table way for them 20 do this Is through
State tax. Hence a State tax IL Just.
IL would be effective. Being Just IL
would not be resisted when once under
stood: in fact the benefits OF good roads
are so marked and 50 well understood by
city people that they would pay the tax
gladly. AS the tax would fall on corpora
lions and other large holders Of wealth
very modest rate would produce enough
tax 10 be effective aid. Emulation and
Of ton nd