The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-13

cock whose remarks emphasizing the
/ Importance of good roads were most
warmly praised by Mr.. Dodge.
IF work for good roads" said Mr.
Dodge. consisted only Of the amount of
dirt removed and rock put in its place,
it Is not probable that we would be here,
but 1t is matter which vitality concerns
our industrial growth and development.
When we study hhe conditions We will
find that nearly all the industries Of
the State and the nation are dependent
upon the highways.
I'm the older States in this work there
has been constant evolution of senti-
ment, and what is true OF them can be
judged of the States just entering into
this work. In the North and Northwest
the progress has exceeded that of the
South and the West.
improvements in roads have been too
long deferred Our country leads the
world in enterprise and progress except
in this, but the highways of this country
! nave not kept pace with out general
progress nor with the Improvement in
, other nations.
Now there is an uprising along
this line. The Macedonian cry for better
and more lasting improvements on our
roads is being heard, and we are going
forward. Just as the younger States Dor
rowed from the older in constitution and
laws. so we must borrow from those
older in road work. AS this progresses
enthusiasm will follow and from assem-
hlages like these where we meet TO de-
liberate and exchange our views, adj
, yanced ideas will go out and organiza-
', tions for better roads vii be made.
'One reason why we have not adj
yanced rapidly in our highway work is
that for time the steam road, the rail-
way track. has been looked upon as
superseding the highway. Before that
idea was abroad We find more attention
TO our highways and had better roads.
Now We are getting back to the first
idea of good roads.
"A question of the property which
should bear road tax is TO be consid-
cred. II is felt by many that only the
land should pay this. and that the eoun-
try for itself, the city for itself was the
idea. 1t seems a hardship TO put the en-
tire burden upon the agriculturalist for
country roads, but there are other
sources of revenue form which funds
for country highways should come"
L.
ito note the difference that freight paws
when being carried by different routes.
For the long haul over water and land
this is noticeable as compared with the
cost over the public highways. AT cost
OF half cent mile per ton goods are
carried by railroads, one tenth OF cent
by the waterways of the great lakes,
while 20 cents a ton is the cost for ami
mai power on the highways. In other
words five miles in wagon $50 by rail-
road and 1000 TO 1900 by deep water
routes form an equality as to cost
AT this point in Mr.. Dodge's speech
music was heard. and the speaker ceased
as the student body OF the 4. & NJ OIL
iege, entered thea hall. They filled up
half the building and many visitors came
WITH them. The lower floor was filed
ana many passed into the galleries Be
lore Mr. Dodge resumed his address the
A. & NJ band played the "Dixie March
and were applauded.
Mt Dodge then saids that he was very
glad to welcome the cadets of the A. and
NJ College. He said he was one OF those
VINO believed the welfare of the State
rested more with the young men than
the old. 1t was very pleasing to him to
notice that both in North Carolina and
Virginia, the people had clever young men
as their chief executives. He considered
II most encouraging sign that so many
oil our young men should take an interest
in proceedings like this
continuing, Mr.. Dodge said that in
the Northeast the State has al
ready supplemented the work of the dlf-
terent localities. This has been done es-
pecially in Massachusetts, New York and
New Jersey.
In New York ard New England. prac-
tically .wo+ thirds of the people are con-
tentrated in the cities. 1t was, Mr.. Dodge |
said, from the cities that most OF the |
money for road Improvement came
lie spoke of the experience of the city |
OF cleveland, Ohio. his native town, say
lns that the citizens had found that the |
Improvement of their own town was i'm
possible without the Improvement of the
country roads.
Mr.. Dodge then read the following from
tne Minneapolis Times, being an extract
from Col. John Jacob Astoa's article on
Automobiles and Coed Roads The Book
II Sports. an edition de luke OF which
cost 800 per volume:
Tile automobile will, undoubtedly, do
more Tor good roads than all other fac
tors combined, because, while bringing
health and pleasure TO those using 1t for
enjoyment, 1t Will be great convenience
10 the business man and will increase the
profit u the farmer so that all these will
have Il common interest in extending it's
sphere and in providing what Git must
have TO give good results-that is, good /
roads.
There should be national and State
aid for the country and State as we'll
as the local communities have use for
the roads, and should Fay their share
IN making and maintaining them.
The first move should be III the d.
rection of cooperation. The second
should be the formation OF a practical
system capable of expanding and TAX
Ing IN the entire country
Mr.. Dodge said he considered that three
conditions must prevail for the building
OF good roads 10 be a success, First. I
convict labor must. be- used second.
there must be a general fund paid in TO
the authorities and wisely expended by
them; third the State must. lend its
aid.
The speaker paid a high compliment 10