The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-09
The Coed Rond- Movement.

The automobile has been regarded thus
far as an article of luxury and ornament
rather than of public utility 1t may be-
| come as common as the trolley car in
course of time. but at present the common
man regards it rather as freak The Au-
tomobie Club. which lately held ~. first
! banquet in New York City cannot be called
an organization which has much In ccm-
mon with the masses of the American
people.
Yet this club is likely to be of great use,
indirectly. to the general public. and
prove anew that the human race is so
bound together that the development of
ttefeiv bitten involves sooner or later. the
good OF the many. At this banquet strong
speeches were MADE in favor of the good
roads. movement, and it was suggested
thai "a national or transcontinental high
way be made. one hundred and
twenty-five feet wide. and traversing
twenty-five States, the route including
Boston, New York. Washington. Chicago,
Omaha and San Francisco 1t was proposed
that third the cost be paid by Con-
gress, one-third by the States through
which the road shall pass. and one-third
by the counties. towns and cities directly
affected by the improvement. OF course, it
cannot be known how the various States
and rural neighborhoods Will receive this
proposition, but II road as durable and
permanently useful as the old Roman
highways could be made 1t seems as il It
would be of great benefit to the general
public as we'll as to the Automobile Club.
The coed roads agitation is one of The
movements directly due to the introduce
ton OF the bicycle. So long as travel was
confined TO railway tracks. country roads
we're not OF much consequence TO people
in general. When road is used by few
travellers. it does rot pay to keep it in
very good condition. especially if it hap
pens to lie through mountainous or sandy
tract where spring floods and other causes
are liable 10 render it impossible or dan
gerous But when the bicycle clubs began
to go about The land, they wanted road
which would not destroy the perishable
rubber tires, or compel the rider to dis
mount and lead Fis machine for a consid-
cradle distance. The increasing use of the
automobile viii probable have much the
same effect on legislation, and roadmak
ing in general. that the bicycle did
In some ways. the use OF both these ma
chimes is likely TO be a very good thing
for country neighborhoods. II may posi-
bly, lead to the revival of the charming old
country inn, which has vanished with the
disappearance of the stage-coach, and been
replaced most horribly by the railway res
tarrant. In that case life will be pleasant
for the n-keeperand the delights Of travel
viii be increased. American country life
would also have an added element of pictur-
sequences and beauty. which 1t sadly needs
Aside from the social effects OF this change
in the method OF travel. good roads will
benefit the farmer in various ways, especi-
ally if. as in this proposed highway. things
can be so arranged that he will not have
to pay the whole cost. In some mountain
districts of New Hampshire and Massachu-
sets. where much money is brought into
the State by the pleasure-seebing summer
population. the native is obliged to pay so
much for keeping the highways in good
condition that it eats up most Of his profits
in the course of the year.