Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-11-15
GOOD ROADS
Question Just now is at White
Heat

In Number of the Southern and
Southwestern States-Mass Meetings
Being Held-Means by which Infor-
nation on the subject is Dissent
mated.
Sentiment among the citizens Of
several of the Southern and Middle
| Western States, notably Louisiana,
Mississippi, Illinois and Tennessee,
in favor of improving the highways,
is just now at white heat Under
the direction of the National Good
Roads Association mass meetings and
con ventions are held in many of the
cities and towns, and the subject of
good roads is discussed and dilated
upon everywhere by champions of the
movement with earnesthess and un-
Outstanding. On the strength of
the benefits which. Enthusiastically,
have resulted from smooth and per-
manent highways wherever they have
been built, the good roads agents are
striving TO impress upon the people
that the maintenance in their respec-
tive localities Of roads that are SEN
sibly, not to say scientifically, con-
struct is duty they owe TO them
selves and to succeeding generations.
The agitation certainly is producing
important results.
! Leading newspapers in the States
mentioned. are doing much to help
along the work. The New Orleans
Times Democrat, for example, has
printed series Of interviews with
representative citizens in various
parts Of Mississippi and Louisiana and
they leave no doubt of the sincerity
and vigor with which the good roads
movement is conducted. We quote
some extracts from interviews with
residents in three large towns OF
Louisiana. A progressive landholder
says:
! is for the agricultural interests
to realize that they can haul twice as
much of their products over good
road as over one poorly kept. | don't
know anything better for this parish
of this kind.
| A prominent physician expressed
himself thus:
Good roads, like good schools, are
the most inviting objects to immigra-
ton. Coupled with the fertility of
our soil, good roads will surely result
in bringing hither capital and immi-
grafton
A large Louisiana planter takes
this view of the matter:
''Good roads are an object lesson to
the capitalist, home seeker and man
of moderate means. Wherever he sees
good roads he is assured that it is a
community in which he can safely in
vest, satisfied that he will have good
schools, quick and easy transportation
Of produce to and from market, and
everything which can be desired in an
enlightened and Christian commun.
ity. !"
Here are the opinions of wide
awake farmer of the same state:
f "There is no snser, safer or more
expeditions way Of building up and
developing the resources of country
than by the construction and mainte-
nance Of good roads. They will al
ways invite the home seeker as well
as the capitalist, each Of whom is as
sured of easy transportation to market
for his produce, as vel! az OF educa-
tional, religious and other advanta-
iRes Incident to such com bination
tof happy circumstances"
4 prominent lawyer and planter
says:
f .sThe absence OF good roads FREE
quently means lower market when
products reach their destination; loss
and delay from the failure to receive
articles promptly when needed and a
large loss resulting from the wear and
tear OF vehicles and horses and pay
tment OF increased time TO teamstersn
4 We might go on quoting almost in
definitely similar opinions gathered by
the Times-Democrat from citizens of
Louisiana and Mississippi-munic
officers, bank presidents, clergymen,
wholesale and retail merchants, far
mers and others.
The good roads sentiment In the
part Of the country referred to has
been greatly stimulated by the recent
undertaking IN the part of the Ma
tional Good Roads Association and
the Illinois Central Railroad to run a
train, especially equipped for practi-
cal road making, from New Orleans
to Chicago The s'9ood Roads
Special, 7; as it is called, has already
I given demonstration in road building
at New Orleans, Natchez and Vicks-
burg. 1t is now proceeding north
ward and is scheduled to stop at If
. teen or more places before it reaches
Chicago. At each place specimen
road at least mile long will be con-
structed and left as an object lesson
TO people who would like to have open
highways twelve months in the year.
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