The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-24

If there is one thing more than an
other that contributes to the material
advancement of contemplated reforms il
is cooperation. If our forefathers had
asked this question: What will it cost to
cut the trees. grub the stumps and cor
duroy the sWamps? Where will we get
the money, ETC., the country would still
be wilderness.
They realized, however, that the MAX
Ing Of roads was a duty imposed upon
them, and the question asked was how
can we best unite our forces and expendi-
ture and accomplish this? The zeal, ef
fort and determination displayed by them
is now being augmented and kept alive
by the persevering work of the National
Good Roads association, the Bureau OF
Good Roads inquiry and kindred organ
izations scattered throughout the coun-
try. The National Good Roads associa-
ton, in cooperation with the llnnols
Central railway, has just completed q
Very successful good roads campaign IN
the states Of Louisiana, Mississippi,
Tennessee Kentucky and Illinois. Over
twenty miles of earth, gravel and stone
roads We're built and several large and
enthusiastic conventions held. Thousands
of people f1ocked to see the practical
work of the, Coed roads train and to
participate in the deliberations of these
conventions
The congress held. at Buffalo this year
was represented by every state and ter
ritory in the Union, Belgium, France ana
Canada by men OF international reputa-
ton Gov Jennings, of Florida acted as
chairman. Other prominent representa-
tiyes included the governor of Missis-
sippi; Andrew Patullo, NJ. P. P, presi-
dent Ontario Good Roads association; E.
A. Bond, state engineer Of New York;
James Wilson, secretary of agriculture;
Gen. Roy Stone, of Washington; Lewis
NJ Haupt, of the Isthmian canal commits
sion: Martin Dodge, director Office of
road inquiry, Washington; Prof. L A.
Holmes; state geologist of North Caro-
lima; H. M. Chittenden, captain Of the
corps government engineers, Yellowstone
National Park; A W. Campbell, commits
soner public highways, Ontario; and
many others. With but few exceptions
these busy men responded to the call,
and the increased attendance from ses-
sion to session throughout the whole
week showed how eager and interested
the delegates were in all the proceedings.
Useful Information.
From the various papers read one de-
rived a great deal Of useful information.
For instance one of the greatest drains
upon the township treasury is repairing
and renewing culverts, especially those
built of timber. In the place Of timber
the materials suggested for adoption are
sewer pipe, concrete pipe. stone and buck
arches. These materials from their stony
texture are evidently more durable than
timber, especially in the matter Of de-
cay, and if protected from wear by a
cushion of earth above them, and il in
construction the action of frost is guard
ed against they may be regarded as per-
manent AS a matter Of convenience for
traffic too, these wooden sluices and cul-
verts should be discarded. Even on roads
OF heaviest traffic where timber culverts
are used, it is all too common to see
drivers compelled to check their horses,
and then bump over the covers OF a
wooden box drain standing above the
surface of the road. The time, energy
and annoyance wasted in this way alone
would many time replace the old wooden
culverts with others that would be bet
ter and more durable.
Accompanying this article is cross
section of a type of culyert adapted to