The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-05-21

TO keep the roads in such
state that vehicles Of all de.
scriptions always find then
In the best possible condition tof
travel. 1t is necessary. then. that 1t be
directed in a way to remove ut every
turn every obstacle or source OF resist
ance 10 traffic. and to prevent or cor
rect, at the beginning, all the impair
ments to which roads are liable. This
result can be obtained only by means
of q constant watchfulness. and by the
organization Of resources constantly
at hand in material and workmanship.
The secret Of the excellent roads OF
Europe is, first. good construction;
second. the constant. systematic, and
skilful method employed in the mainte-
nance Of roads. On these roads q force
of skilled men Is continually employed.
making repairs, and any defect. how
ever slight, Is Immediately repaired.
1t is not considered that the necessity
for continual repairs Is an evidence OF
Door workmanship in the original con
structon. but rather that an earnest
effort Is being made to keep the road
ways In perfect condition. This prompt
and constant repairing explains the
superior condition Of the roadways OF
Europe.
The men who have these repairs IN
charge are skilled in this line Of work.
and hold their positions because they
are thus qualified. Politics has moth
ING TO do with them, as 1t has IN this
country. These men are removed Tor
cause only. 1t takes years to educate
men in the art OF road building and
the proper method TO be employed In
making repairs. Generally In this
country cities and towns pay for edu'
eating the men in charge Of their roads,
and then politics removes them. out
time will make this matter right.
1t will certainly be made right when
people ind that II Is the only way to
have good roads. The trained road
builder Is Just as necessary as the
trained doctor. manufacturer or edu'
Gator.
Take, for instance, the method en-
ployed in making repairs on dirt and
gravel roads with q road machine.
In a great many towns you will find
the road officials, once q year at least,
at work with this machine. taking the
worn out material which the water
has washed from the road into the gut
tiers and putting IT back In the centre
Of the road. This Is wrong. because
this material Is worn out It Is soft
and II is disagreeable. 1t Is dusty
and when wet makes mud. which holds
the water. thus injuring the road. II
Is as necessary to keep a road clean as
anything else. 1t lengthens the life OF
a road, and 1t should not be covered
with this worn. loose, worthless dirt'
whatever the road may be.
The proper maintenance OF roads Is
everything. In nine cases out OF ten'
in travelling through the different towns
deep ruts may be found both where
the horses and wheels travel. and quite
often in good natural road material
There is no need for this II q proper
system OF maintenance is employed
and these roads can be maintained fol
q small sum Of money. II promptly and
properly attended to and with some
diligence. For instance. II depressions
are filed and not allowed to develop
into deep ruts. 1t will not only be more
comfortable to the traveller, but the
water would not be held. but would
run of the surface Of the road. Stand
ing water Is a detriment to any road
The very best constructed road VIII
soon 60 to pieces unless 1t Is kept con
stantly In repair, just the same as
building.