The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-01-10

J cessible that gravel roads, on account O
their cheapness, are preferred to ston
roads Mr.. Budd says, however, that tn
gravel roads are not nearly so good or o
J such durability as the stone roads, l
extra appropriation is not made Mr. BudC
advises that State aid should be limited t.
those counties that have already done
much stone road building, as it will per
NIT the completion of a system of roads
that lead from big centres. So far as
possible the road building has been done
so as to connect towns, and now there is
practically a continuous improved road
from Atlantic City to Jersey City. There
is also network of roads running from
Camden, Trenton, Newark and other
centres.
Mr.. Budd in his report, discusses the
improvements and the lessening of cost in
stone road building. He says:
1.-THE ability to construct greater num-
Der of miles each year arises from better
understanding on the part of the States
and counties of the principles of road
building.
1T has been the rule in the past to in
sist that it was necessary to first hay an
expensive foundation of large stones, CON
sequently the largest part of the cost of
the roads was in the foundation. Obser-
walton and experience have demonstrated
that the earth properly drained is as good
a foundation as can be obtained for any
road super structure, and, therefore, it is
not necessary to deposit any more thick
ness of metal upon the surface than is re-
quired to stand up under the wear until
the roads have to be resurfaced After
the roads are subjected to two or three
inches OF wear it seems necessary, in Or
der to preserve proper surface to recoat
the road, so that all that is needed to
maintain the integrity of the road is to
have sufficient foundation to sustain
these two or three inches. Therefore the
principal construction of the State has
been resolved into roads four, six and
eight inches deep.
Mr.. Budd goes on to speak of the re-
duced cost of constructing roads, and es
Inmates 1000 mile as about the average
cost now. The maintaining of the roads
after being built also receives discussion
at Mr. Budd's hands. The State Road
Commissioner says that saving is effect
ed by covering the road with an applica-
ton of coarse sand or gravel The sys
TEN of frequently changing county en-
gineers on account of their politics Mr.
Budd condemns as bad. 1t results in ex-
pensive experiments. There are eight
counties, says Mr.. Budd, that retain their
engineers regardless of politics.
Trolley roads take up chapter in the
State Road Commissioners report. Mr.
Budd declares against permitting trolley
companies to use the public roads for
right of way. 1t causes annoyances and
accidents. Speaking further of trolleys,
Mr.. Budd says:
They facilitate intercourse between com
munities and increase the value of rural
land; therefore land owners can well af-
ford to give the right of way for their
construction. But, like other railroads,
they are projected not only for public ac-
commodation, but also for paying invest
ments The trolleys are creators of wealth
not only for builders, but property owners
along the line. Commercially, this devel-
opment has already created many mil
lions of wealth, so that they can as well
afford to purchase the right of way as
steam companies are compelled to do; and
they should not be permitted to do other
wise