Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-04-20
For Better Roads IN Vermont.

The act passed by the Legislature at
Montpelier last yenT ito improve the pu3-
lic roads ana establish the Vermont hgn-
wy commission" made it incumbent upon
the state highway commissioner to issue
circular letter to the road commits
soncis of each town in the State an
bouncing what kind Of work will I've re-
tarded as permanent work under the act
in question: but full discretion was left
with the commissioner in relation to
the requirements to be insisted upon. The
act also provided that in no case shall
town be entitled to its share of the
state tax raised for highway improve
n,ent until it has complied with the pro-
Visions Of this act"
State Commissioner W. Il. Wall of
Randolph has embodied in his circular
letter published elsewhere in this paper,
q series of requirements and r"commen-
uaticns which Admirably supplement the
law and which will commend themselves
TO all lovers Of good roads as we'll as
taxpayers generally. 1t would have been
a manifest injustice to insist that every
town should build macadamized roadway
in order to be entitled to its share of the
state tax; COR there are localities in
which a good gravel road is more desir-
able as wei as more economical and
othe~s in which it would be difficult
matter to lay a stone bottom.
The recommendation of stone or gravel
roads where maca1amized roads are not
feasible is excellent and in this connec-
ton We desire to emphasize one fact
which is OFTEN overlooked III connection
with the subject of good roads. The ex-
cuSe is frequently made by road commits
sioncTs that they can not afford to under
take to build roads of permanent
character because they have no stone
cruShcr and are not able to purchase one:
and they accordingly continue to use the
'dirt' system OF highway construction,
thus adding TO the depth of mud in wet
weather and of dust during the dry sea-
son
Experience has shown it to be entirely
feasible to make a good stone road with
out the aid Of a stone cTushe.. By laying
f Foundation of stones of considerable
sin. filing in the open spaces with small
stone ana covering this bed with gravel
g road Of great durability can he secured
and one that will be compare lively free
from deep mud IN the spring and autumn
The lack Of stone crusher is there fore
not good nor sufficient excuse foe the
enserce of good Toads, and least of all foi
the failure of the road authorities to be.
En the construction Of permanent road
way
II IS true that the sum to be realized
by some of the smaller towns will not 70
far toward the construction of perml
rent highways, but the great object to h,
gained Is the making of piece of road
way in every town which shall become AZ
effective and convincing object lesson fo
soadmakers as we'll as for taxpayers anc
help all concerned to realize that perma
mont roadway is the most economical Il
the long run as we'll as the best
State Commissioner Wall has made al
excellent beginning in formulating tn
policy which will govern the distribution
Or the proceeds Of the State highway tax
and it IS not easy to see how with the re
quiCcments named by his circular lctte
4 town can secure its share Of the fun
without making u stadt in the direction
o. permanent highway construction.