The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-07
ALL WANT ROADS
Then Why Not Join Movement
to Improve Them.
Much Interest Developing in
Good Roads Congress.
GOVERNMENT HELPS.
Offers Advice and instruction
For Every One.
Gen. Ell. Harrison, Road Expert
Tells What Is Done.
Machinery to Build Model High
way Not Yet Here.

| The interest in the good roads move
nent is on the increase Each day brings
IN more letters of inquiry and encourage
| ment.
The Business Mems Commercial club, OF
Maple Hill, has appointed three men to
attend the meeting the 25th. They are
Gilbert Stewart. r. T. Updegran and o.
| Rutlidge
| The railroads have shown an interest in
the meeting and have offered a rate of
week beginning september q The e1 one ne
| rare rate will be given from all points in
Kansas ana from Kansas City and st.
In speaking of the good roads movement,
General Harrison, the government road
THE government has within the past
9d b reyi fa the f9od + rOads
/ educational way, under the department OF
THE government does not make appro-
prlatlons Tor the building of roads or even
Tor object lesson roads. The department
sible outside Of furnishing cash. This de-
partment furnishes information concern
TO the farmers and others information
of nscts and an sRe vaHe
fertilizers.
This Information was formerly given
cent years the department of road inquiry
mas been Organized and equipped with
ton is given in lectures, Institutes and at
farmers, gatherings of various kinds.
tention has been en- given to the Inaugural i.
ton of systematic. instruction in state
tons for the purpose of training young
men in the science of road engineering
mented by active work in object lesson or
sample road building at these colleges or
will furnish the material and labor for
the purpose of constructing the road. In
the latter case the department of agricul-
ture sends a road expert to superintend
the construction. The manufacturers have
as rule been quite liberal in offering the
charge for use in making the experiment
roads. These F roads are not It's, supposed to
and to be constructed as far as possible
with local material or with material found
ut may be seen that the sample roads
are not what might be termed model or
roads can only be built where the best of
material may be obtained and where there
is plenty of money to use in its construc-
THE government expert is supposed to
side of the question and to build the road
in such a manner as will meet the re-
the community to pay for it.
Until there is q better system for piac-
ing the burden OF the cost Of roads more
the country road as now constructed and
maintained at the cost Of the people liy-
Improvement of this kind has to be done
at the least possible cost. Hence the pub
lie road in country districts in this state
will have to be made narrow and light as
possible. 50 that the traffic and the trav-
cling public may be accommodated and
the expense of construction will be limited
to the ability Of the people to pay for It;
1.-The committee from the Commercial
club and others having charge of the pro-
posed object lesson road which is be-
brook have considered all these matters.
The money to be used on this road has
been raised largely by voluntary contri-
buttons, and while the committee would
like to make this model road and a
handsome boulevard, the means which
they have at their command will not per-
NIT them to do so. Therefore this road
will be improved the line Indicated. It
will be object lesson to farmers and
others living in the country to show them
make them much better, hard and smooth,
and fit for use at all seasons OF the year,
at a cost not beyond their means"
The promoters of the road have been
disappointed at the delay in getting the
machinery and material to begin the work
it takes time to get the work organized.
particularly in section of the country
where the good roads movement is COM
paratively new.
The work of laying the drain pipes and
placing the culverts has been in progress
and is practically completed and the grad
ers have the road bed in a condition to
take the crushed stone as soon as it is
ready.
The machinery will without doubt be on
hand by Monday The committee has
following as the dates for the exhibition
road road-building.
At this time exhibition Of the road