New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-27

termned where new roads should be laid out
which Of them should be worked and i'm
proved. and how much OF a tax should be ex-
pended upon each improvement. As II was left
10 him 10 plan this important work, so its ex-
pense has rested almost entirely upon his shout
ders. Now that the cry for macadamized high
ways is 10 be heard in the city and country
alike. farmers believe. as rule, that they are
10 be called upon TO build them
This is wrong. Farmers have enough In the
way Of taxes 10 pay without undertaking the
building Of elaborate gravel and stone roads 1t
is unfair that such a burden should be added
70 their already heavy load Whatever may be
undertaken In the way OF constructing per-
manent highways should be done at the ex-
pense OF those who are to reap its benefits
True II is that the savings in the cost OF haul
Ing crops would be considerable. and that this
saving would result almost entirely TO the farm
er But that is no reason for asking him to pay
the cost OF building such roads. He is not the
only one 10 use them. They serve 70 bring city
people and city products into the country as
much as they serve TO bring country people and
country products into the city The merchant
VINO has business with the farmer is as much
benefited through good road to travel over
as is the farmer who comes TO town on business
OF any kind Neither is the use of roads lin
TIED 10 those living in the vicinity and travel
lers from distance share the benefits resulting
from their improvement 1t would be the height
OF injustice, therefore. to ask the farmer alone
10 stand the cost OF good roads
Inc proper division of the cost of good roads
has been accomplished through State aid This
ID the system by which the stone roads Of New
Jersey have been built. The farmers in that
STATE are so enthusiastically favorable to the
extension OF the State aid system that Il de-
serves 10 be described. In the first place under
the WORKING OF the State aid system. no i'm
provement Is undertaken EXCEPT upon the nett
ton OF those residing upon the road TO be i'm
proved When such a petition has been duly
signed. II Is presented to the County Board who
proceed TO have the necessary drawings and
specifications made These are then presented
TO the State Highway Commissioner for an
prevail. Upon their return by the State Com
missioner TO the county officers they proceed 10
advertise for proposals 10 build the road
When the contracts are let, a copy of each con-
tract must be filed with the State Commission
er. who thereupon appoints a supervisor OF con-
struction. upon the recommendation Of the prop
erty holders who have petitioned for the i'm
provement This supervisor must give his
whole time 10 the work. and see that the condi-
tons Of the specifications and contract are car
ried out.
Under this State aid system. the cost of i'm
provements is divided between the State. the
county and the adjoining property, the State
paying one-third the owners Of the property
adjoining the improvement raging one tenth.
and the county paying the remainder.
This system of building improved roads is
highly popular, because no work Is undertaken
except upon the petition OF those 10 be benefit
ed. At the same time the cost Of the improve
ment is not required 10 be borne by the 'arm-
ers, and those Of them whose land borders upon
the road where the work is done are required
to pay only small share OF it's cost. The rest
or the expense Is shared by city and country
property holders. because county taxes are as
sessed In the cities as well as In the country.