The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-22

formerly run by extensive water power
have been abandoned and millions of
that kind of property has rotted down
and gone to waste These plants were
removed or re-estab1ished along the
lines of railroads and water communi-
cation. The farmer can not remove his
plant, which is his farm, and the only
way we can improve his condition is by
improving the roads. But the farmer
does not consider it of much conse-
quence. He considers that he already
has his horses and wagons. There is the
trouble the farmers get into,'' said Gen.
Harrison. They do not reckon on their
expenses close enough. They think that
because they have these things it makes
no difference"
To illustrate General Harrison told
the story of the boy who, when told that
he would ruin his hat, replied that that
didn't make any difference as his father
farmers reckon their business that way.
Statistics gathered by the census up
to 1895 and by the usual averages since
then, show the tons of products hauled
by animal power that had to be shipped
away exceeded 100000, 900 tons in round
numbers. This is big country and we
ship a great deal of stuff that is con-
sumed largely here in this country but
we are sending that abroad. When we
multiply by three we get at the cost of
this haul. Three hundred million tons
multiplied by So makes $500, 000, 600, Why
it is enormous. 1t don't take long to say
IT, OQl We <tAE giving tAiC 1S4ElS just aS
you gave them to us. We found that by
sending inquiries around the country
where they have these improved roads
in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New
York and New Jersey-that the average
cost was cents a mile. 1t is less in
New Jersey, but we will say that it is 8
cents That is a saving. There is a
difference between 25 and g, say two
thirds. Two-thirds of $500, 000, 90 is $780,
100000, which we are saving annually
That is about the cost OF. the national
and state government in time of peace
which could be saved If we had fairly
good roads: That is something for you
to think about. That is the govern
ment'S work If it can to save the farm
ers every part of it. 1t could not be
done in a day. Rome was not built in
day. No brave man would give up an
undertaking because it would take too
long.
AN ordinary prairie road in the black
land district is as good as any road as
long as 1t is dry. When it is soaked
with water, it is awful Therefore, the
most important duty is to keep the road
bed dry at all times, and for this purpose
nothing is better than a roof. 1t costs
that the best way is to put an artificial
covering on the road itself. The top dirt
on the road should be thrown away. The
surface should be smoothed with har-
row and then rolled with a heavy roller,
and don't be afraid of rolling it too
much. The roadbed should be built uD
in rounding shape. When it has been
raised to a proper height the work of
laying on the gravel should begin. Two
or three inches at first and then an inch
more in year or two would be sufficient
The gravel should be rolled. The heavier
the roller the better The surface should
be made as compact as possible Run
the water off the roadbed, and nobody
would want a better highway than you
will have
General Harrison when asked some
thing about the increased value of prop
Good roads are not only of a financial |