Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-12-19
sOOD ROADS FOR FARMERS.

The greatest drawback TO rural life Is
the absence OF good roads Farmers sufrer
from the lack OF good roads more than
any other class. because people who live
IN towns and cities have other facilities
for travelling which the people OF the
rural districts do not have. In cities the
question OF highest importance and
matter upon which most money Is eNpend-
ed is that or placing the thOrOughfares
under control OF the municipal govern
ment in frst-Class condition and keeping
them so. Generally speaking. IN the coun-
try the public highways. until within
quite recent years. have received but little
or no attention from the very people who
are most dependent upon them for travel.
AS an illustration OF what improved
roadways viii do for the territory trav-
ersed by them Il is only necessary 70
visit those localities IN this and other
states where good roads have been built
10 ind that property owners in such sec
lions are growing richer each year. and
social relations are broadening and be-
coming more inviting. Communities pos
sessing the advantages OF good roads are
becoming more thickiy populated. while
sections which do not possess such adj
vantages are either az a standstin or are
becoming annually poorer and more thin
" settled. Bad roads tend TO check ambi-
ton. weaken energy and paralyze indus
try. Rich lands viii be allowed to go 20
waste. fruitful farms win be abandoned
and the social pleasures and en1oyments
or country life suffer untold disadvan-
taEes when the public highways are in
bad OF almost impossible condition the
year round
From a business standpoint. we may
well compare the difference between good
and bad roads 20 the dinerence between
profit and loss A good road IN a commu-
nifty has a money value TO the people own
Frrer al - Mr. 81 wfuhF Of
way. just the same IS IL develops a So
cial value. Looking az the matter solely
from a business standpoint, IL must be
conceded by all investigators as well as
those who have tried the experiment that
good roads always and under all condi-
lions pay a handsome dividend each year.
From the old farcial plan Of patching the
roads each year. according to the win Of
different communities. our people are re-
aiiZing that road building Is q public mat
ter, and that the best interests OF agri-
culture and the rural people demand the
construction Of hrst-class highways. and
that money 50 expended Is sure 20 return
large profits
Work Broadening.
The work which is now being done
throughout the south BY the National
Good Roads association. under the auspi-
ces o. the Southern Railway company
which 10 furnishing all necessary trans
portatton, viii be far reaching in its ef-
feet upon the minds OF our people and
lay the foundation for arousing an ex-
tensive interest in good road building
which wiz rapidly develop permanent con-
struction OF our public highways as the
years roll by.
The business OF the Good Roads asso-
citation as II is now being conducted Is
70 effect permanent organization OF a
branch OF the association In each state,
and present an object lesson OF flrst-class
road work az three or more principal
points IN each state. The convention OF
road workers held IN Atlatna last week
was largely attended by farmers and 9TH
ers interested from all parts OF the state.
Several hundred delegates were present
at the practical road work which was
done on piece OF roadway near Atlanta.
and AZ which all the new and up-to-date
road machinery was used. At the two or
three meetings held IN the larger banquet
hall OF the Kimball house the visiting del
egates were prompt in attendance and
took a deep interest in the proceedings.
Permanent organization was perfected,
ana aside from the state officers. vice
president OF the association was named
from each county IN the state.
Construction Of Good Roads
II f. neither my object or desire in an
article such as the length OF this must
Re 10 attempt to describe the improved
FneLA0la OF C4leAEANAAAe SUI AN--41-
are many plans by which good perma-
uent roads may be built and the work
can only be perfected BY practice, ex-
perience and labor. There are certain gen
eral principles which must be employed in
the art of road building. and success viii
largely depend In making those principles
properly conform with the conditions
which surround the communities or sec
lions through which the road or roads
are 70 be built In some sections hard
level road bed can be secured at compare
lively little cost. while in others a ma
cadam foundation viii have 70 be laid
70 secure permanent smoothness after
grading has been completed
good narrow stone ballasted road 20
suit the needs OF the farmers should not
Be too costly. In the state Of New Jersey
q stone ballasted road eight feet wide and
nine inches deep. rolled down smooth and
compact is not costing more than E.soo
per ale The most expensive and unsat-
isfactory road Is the earth road. while the
nd eaFfaFarfrrv "a ha