The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-03-14
EXHIBITION ON WHEELS.
Il. Il. w. GOOD ROADS TRAIN WILB
START JUNE 10.
Wiil Demonstrate Methods of Build
Ing Modern Ro0ds-Need of Highway
hnncOyemanf.

Improvement.
President Earle, of the League O
American Wheelmen, is meeting will
approval from many sections on hi!
idea for a good roads" train. The
subject of road improvement is but lit
tie understood in this country, and as
the primary object Of the train is edu-
cation in road building, it will have
highly valuable results upon the move
ment for better highways.
The plan of President Earle is to have
a special train, consisting Of sufficient
number of cars to carry the latest i'm.
proved road-malSing machinery of all
kinds, and attached to it will be a
special car for the road experts who
will make the trip. BY special arrange
ments, which will be made in advance
a road congress will be held in two
places in each state, and after a meet
ing at which the subject of highway
Improvement will be discussed by the
authorities who will compose the party,
there will be demonstration of prac-
teal road building.
The machines will be utilized in this
work and sample roads will be built to
demonstrate the value of improved
highways and the economy in using the
machines The manufacturers of these
machines will have representatives in
the party and it is expected that they
will enliven the proceedings by their
competition for orders
| President Earle will be director-gene-
raj of the train, and with him will be
Hon. Marion Q. Dodge director of the
office of road inquiry, Department of
Agriculture.
The train will start June Is, covering
the eastern and southern states first
and then proceeding westward. 1t will
be a complete exhibition on Wheels"
and is expected to do more towards en-
tightening the country upon the bene-
fits and economy of modern roads than
hnything that has heretofore been done
in the movement to secure them.
That there is an urgent necessity for
better country highways is shown in
the statement Of a competent authority
that six hundred million dollars are an
nually wasted in this country because
of the miserable condition of our roads.
1t is a fact that everyy citizen is vi
tally interested in our country roads.
The prices Of farm and ranch products
are subject to their condition. The far
mers are particularly Interested To
them modern roads mean progress
financially, socially and educationally
The United States have spent hun
dreds of millions of dollars in railway
subsidies and for rivers, canals and
harbors-all forms of highways. 1t has
spent comparatively nothing for coun-
try roads. But there is not pound of
freight hauled over railroads, rivers,
canals or harbors which is mt first haul
ed on country roads or city streets at
some Usage. The country roads is the
primary highway of commerce. Hun |
dreds of millions have been spent in
improving the secondary lines while the
country road has been neglected. If it |
is economical to improve one part of |
the haul, why not the other? When the |
country realizes that it is losing $780,
900 annually, how long will it take |
to find remedy?
These are questions which the League
of American Wheelmen is earnestly
to the attention of the coun-
try Its work is going forward con-
SLhHtty D4L quietly. w HdteNeI progress 1
has been made is to be credited to it.
1t is admitted that the movement
started in the League of American
Wheelmen through selfish motives. The
league wanted better roads for better
cycling. But whatever the original rea-
son, the organization has found the
great economic necessity for good roads
and is impressing it upon all classes. 1t
is need of great magnitude, however,
and will take many years of hard work
before the object can be accomplished.
This is expected by the men leading it
and they are prepared to carry it on for
whatever time may be necessary.
In addition to ascertaining the gene
raj economic need of modern roads the
eague has appreciated the fact that the
entire cost Of construction should not
fall upon the farmers. Dwellers in cit
es, particularly the large centers of
population, benefit by them in no small
degree, and it Is only reasonable that
Upon them should fall portion of the
expense Realizing this the Estate aid'
plan has resulted. Under this the state
oays a portion of the cost, varying from
- 1-3 to so per cent, the county pays
lnOther portion ana tne property own |
RS pay the balance. In this way the
ost of construction is equalized and the
tmount paid by the farmer is very
mall. His immediate returns are in
reased property valuation, saving of
ime and expense, ability to haul larger
Dads with less power, means of easy
with neighboring farms
nd towns and the advantages Of pas
able roadway to the schools for his
hildren and to other places for himself
nd family.
In New Jersey and New York, where
he plan has been tried it has given
othing but satisfaction. 1t has proved
racticable in every way,
1t is to demonstrate these things, as
rell as to show the proper way of
uilding q road, that the good roads,
rain will make it's trip over the coun-
~. The League of American Wheel
len earnestly invites cooperation in
repairing for it's reception and stay in
le various states, and it should be ac-
1rded a welcome everywhere.
RESIDENT HADLEY'S CORREC-
TION.