The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-07-24
GOOD ROADS.


GOOD ROADS.
The movement that has been inaug-
urated by the government to educate
the farmers Of the country in good
road building will be worth millions to
the farmers and the business COMMUNE
ties of the country. Col. r. W. Rich
ardson, the government good roads
expert, will be present at the State
fair this year with a full equipmentof
good roads machinery and will give
practical demonstrations in the con-
struction of good roads. But this is
not all, nor does this movement end
here. He has been rendered train of
| flat cars by the Great Northern rail-
way which will haul the good roads
equipment of Prof. Richardson through
the west and northwest and stop at
many places where practical demon.
strations in good road building will be
given. farmers, and there will also be
lectures and plain and practical talks
on the subject. The train will leave
Minneapolis at the close of the State
fair and begin its journey through the
country, and spread the gospel of good
road building. The Great Northern
road by rendering the use of this
special train has made a concession
that amounts to $4,000 and makes it
possib BILE for thousands of farmers
throughout the northwest to receive
practical instructions in the methods
OF building permanent and durable
roads. The matter of constructing
good roads is one of great Importance
to every farmer and to every business
man in every town that depends on
the country for its support and where
is the town that does not? There are
thousands of dollars wasted in this
State every year in road repair and
road construction. It is too often the
case that road work is farmed out for
what it is worth, not for travel but for
what it is worth to interested local
officials. Road funds are seldom ex-
pended in a judicious and competent
manner. The question too often is
how much can we have to expend
rather than what kind of roads can we
build. Local authorities and farmers,
and business men as we'll, do not con-
slider the question of road building in
all seriousness. All will admit that
good roads are a great boon to any
community, but when it comes to the
initiative there is an awful lack of in
terest. The farmer goes on year after
year losing time hauling his farm pro-
ducts over poor roads, and wearing out
his horses and his wagons on the same
and the business man is also apt to
adjust himself to the Anticipated condi-
tions and settle down in the same rut.
The value of good roads is of such
great Importance at the present time
that it would seem that it was the duty
of the State to see that farmers and
business men received more informa-
ton on this question, and there is no
better way to do this than through the
agency of the farmers Institutes that
are held all over the State every year.
A competent instructor should be ad-
ded to the corps of institute lecturers
whose duty it should be to make prac-
teal talks on the way to build good
roads and the value of the same to
communities. Then there should also
be such an awakening on this subject
as would cause tax payers to be willing
to spend more money for road build
ing. There ought to be a good roads
association in every progressive vii
lage and city in the State which should
awaken and crystalize public sentiments
on the question.
The department of agriculture of
the State university has made arrange