The suburban citizen., 1901-06-15

CTS anu Wueeluen IN DenalI OF
improved highways have been
doubled and redoubled since
the appearance Of the automobile. The
organized bodies which represent the
three divisions of our citizens promi-
nent in the use Of the roads, namely,
the drivers, the wheelmen and the
chauffeurs, seem determined to work
together vigorously and increasingly
for the accomplishment Of their pur-
pose.
Perhaps no better illustration has
been seen of the fraternal feeling ex-
listing among these organizations than
was afforded at a recent meeting IN
this city. The event was announced
as a good roads reunion" and was
conceived by the President Of the
Road Drivers Association. Among
those present were conspicuous advo-
Gates Of the good roads movement
from various parts of the country
who, as cyclists, automobilists or driv-
ers of horses, discoursed intelligently
upon the need of better roads in the
United states. General Miles, who
spoke, emphasized the advantages Of
trst-class highways in case of military
conflict. He said
"The subject of good roads is one
that military men, of course, are inter-
ested in, for it is one of the vital
questions that the General has to
study as to how he can best manoeu-
vre his brigades, corps and armies.
Frequently during the Civil War, the
line of march was marked by dead
animals and wrecked wagons, owing
to the wretched condition of the roads
over which the armies had to pass.
On one or two occasions the move
ments of the armies were very much
embarrassed, and one campaign had
to be abandoned for 1t was found
impossible to manoeuvre an army. On
the plains we Were compelled to make
the roads as we passed over the coun-
try"
OF course, in times Of war, as well
as in times Of peace, smooth and hard
roads have always been eminently de-
sirable; but it must be obvious to
every one that the advent Of horseless
vehicles, whose utility for military
purposes has been indorsed by dis
tinguished Generals on both sides of
the Atlantic, has rendered their con-
structiOn a matter of even vital i'm
portance. In the South African war
where perhaps automobiles have been
put to a more practical military test
than anywhere else, it has been found
that their use not only facilitates
transportation, but that the machines
can carry heavier burdens aud neces-
States the attendance of fewer men
than would be required in the case of
wagons drawn by mules or horses. 1t
has been estimated that, considering
the greater speed of the motor vehicle.
thirty-four Of them, each Of twenty
nve horsepower can transport in a
given time as many pounds of pro-
visions and artillery as 1900 horses.
Besides, the use of the latter would
involve the element of forage. which
must be stored and removed as oc-
casion demands. In France. exDeri-
ments conducted with an automobile
of twenty-seven horsepower have
shown that twenty-four such vehicles
can supply an army corps, or 10000
men, with 200 rounds of ammunition
per man, over a distance of eighty
miles, in twenty-four hours; and can
transport heavy guns to corresponding
advantage.
Manifestly, the usefulness of auto
mobiles, as of bicycles, depends large
ly upon the condition Of the roads over
which they are to be run. When the
road is right the possibilities Of the
machine are vastly increased. No
one should underestimate the highly
creditable results already achieved by
the good roads workers in many parts
Of the country, and notably in New
York State, The cause in which they
are enlisted is one which deserves uni
Versal support.-New Yo.k Sun.