The Jennings daily record., 1902-12-26

- Purdue University, Lafayette,
Ind, Writes as follows: That
good roads have money
value to farmers will be granted hy
all. That the money value of improved
highways is alone sufficient to justify
the cost Of their construction will be
confidently claimed or readily admitted
by many farmers, questioned by 9th
ers. and denied by not a few.
In view of the financial and many
other advantages of good roads. Il ma
jority of the farmers OF the State
would doubtless favor their construc-
ton as rapidly as practicable under
some efficient. economical and equita-
bic system OF highway Improvement.
But there is a considerable proportion
Of the farmers-doubtlesS one-fifth. and
possibly one-fourth-who have little
knowledge or appreciation of the
benefits of good roads. and who there
fore object on account OF the great cost
Of highway improvement. The farm
ers of this class know that they will
have to bear their full share of the
burden of such improvement; they dis
credit (not wholly without reasOn) the
statements and conclusions Of many
public writer's as to the losses and
gains to farmers from poor and good
roads respectively; hence. they view
with apprehension the general agita-
ton in favor Of improved highways.
Ignoring or undertaking the educa'
tional and social advantages as well
as the comfort and enjoyment Of good
roads, or feeling unable TO pay the
price Of such benefits. these farmers
regard with distrust and disfavor
measures FOR highway Improvement:
and they are likely to oppose efforts
for the betterment Of our roads unless
they can first be convinced that good
roads will prove paying financial
investment Speaking. therefore, in
behalf of those who for any reason
are not Influenced by the higher consid.
erations in favor improved highways.
raise the question. Will it pay the
farmers in dollars and cents to improve
their public roads:
Before attempting to answer this
question, let us consider in what ways
permanently good roads will prove
financially beneficial to farmers. All
will agree, I think that good road
will:
First-EconomiZe time and force III
transportation between farm and mar
ket.
Second-Enablc the farmer TO take
advantage OF market fluctuations in
buying and selling.
Third-Pernit transportation OF farm
products and purchased commodities
during times of comparative leisure.
Fourth-Reduce the Wear and tear
on horses. harness and vehicles.
Fifth-Enhancc the market value of
real estate.
But While 1t is easy 10 cnumerate the
ways in which improved roads will be
financially advantageous to farmers it
is very difficult to estimate in dollars
and cents, the benefits to accrue there
from. Distrusting my own judgment
in the premises and fearing also that
my opinions would have little weight
with others. l sought the advice OF the
farmers themselves. Letters Of inquiry
were sent to sixty Of the most intelli-
gent farmers in forty counties located
in the central and northern parts Of
the State. The substance of these
letters is given herewith:
First-About what proportion CT the
public highways in your county arc
now good gravel roads:
Second-PleaSe estimate the average
increase Gn dollars and cents in the
selling price an acre OF land through
ha of
gravel roads.
Third-If all the pnbli> roads II your
county We're converted into improved
highways, how much. in your judg
ment. would it increase the average
selling price an acre of land through
out your county:
Fourth-What would be n fair csti-
mate Of the cost Z mile Of converting
our common dirt roads as they now eX-
ist into good gravel reads. provided. Of
course. the work were to be performed
economically under some comnatent,
general supervision. and no; ha,npercd
by legal restrictions:
Fifth-SuppoSiDg that your county
were divided into 100-acre farms. and
that the average distance OF each farm
from market We're five miles. what.
in your judgment. would be the aver
age annual cost Gin dollars and cents
to each farmer Of our unimprovcd
highways:
In answering the fifth question
please take into account the reduced
loads. increased time extra wear and
tear. and loss in sales from inability TO
deliver products when the market IS
best.
Over forty replies 10 these queries
were received. AS would be expected
from the difference in soil, surface and
distance from gravel beds, there Is a
wide range in the estimates of the diff