Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-03
The Coed Roads Of Georqia.

Assistant State Geologist. Mr.. s. W. Nc
Canie. has given the people OF this state
a very neat and attractive volume on
this subject. It is we'll illustrated and
contains an immense amount of informa-
ton collected from reliable authorities in
this and foreign countries.
Our roads are much better now than
they were before the war. l have seen
the time when our common roads would
become almost impossible in winter time.
Heavy rains and heavy freezes would
hold the mud and slush, without drain
ing or until the holes in the highway
became horrid places. for both man and
beast. suck-holes OF mud.
Nobody would venture unless 1t was
case OF necessity and they put an effec-
tual stop TO visiting and church going,
in the gloomy winter season for the most
OF the country people.
II was an impossibility to keep car
riage or buggy in decent order. and when
a vehicle was down in a hole with one
wheel. and reared up on a ridge with an
other wheel there was no pleasure in at
tempting TO go TO church or anywhere
else unless you might walk on solid
ground for short distances.
But the modern roads that have been
constructed scientifically and kept In or
der are a delight TO everybody and es-
produce to a selling place.
Some years ago. when in the city OF
Brunswick, some kind friends gave me
a carriage ride on their beautiful shell
road. carried me out to see the place
where shrimp and oysters were prepared
for northern markets. and drove with me
about and around in this splendid Geor-
gia town. and I retain a vivid recollec-
ton OF tthe beautiful roads, and what
they meant to those enterprising citizens.
The picture reproduced In Mr.. McCallies
book brought 10 my mind. not only the
splendid. capacious highway, but the love-
~ and gracious attention of those kind
Brunswick people. In a fat country,
where marsh land prevails such well built
roads are a sine qua non for the inhab-
itnats.
The French nation has given much at
tention 10 the good roads problem. and
those who tell us of their good roads and
who write about htem, attribute the
wealth Of the farming classes in France
to these fine roads. as a means to the
end.
The Westerners are wide awake to this
question also. have heard some of them
tell OF riding eighteen miles and back to
attend concert or see fine play. in the
nearest town. and of making nine miles
an hour. easily. with a good buggy horse,
over their superb roads. across prairie
lands.
But I started out to congratulate the
state upon its very capable Official who
has prepared the volume before me. The
book is a credit 20 the state as wen as
20 it's author.
Mr.. McCallie has written other books
giving Information on the, minerals Of the
state. and they illustrate the resources
OF the commonwealth in a most instruc-
tive and pleasing manner.
fc rr-rFAf a.,
a terse. vigorous style. without any I'M
necessary verbiage or repetition Of meth
DDS.
Ii will be valuable for many years to
come as affording correct and worthy
plans and methods which are up-to-dats
and proven to be satisfactory in prac-
teal way.
/ have read this work with a great deal
OF interest and feel much indebted to this
worthy state official.