The sun., 1902-07-01

fsw years. New Jersey espsndsd Cos
road making In isoi half . million dob
lars. and thu appropriation for simi'
lar PURPOSES thi. year will approximate
twio. that amount. since the good
rad. movement WA started there ths
value of the states taxable property has
increased s9I.voO Ooo Precisely What
PARTON of thus increase has rc-ulte,
directly from the betterment of the high
WAYS cannot, of course. be- said. bu'
the State Commissioner Of Public Roaj-
authoriz.s tho statement that thers
are several regions under his super
vision to which improved roads have
been. primarily. the means Of attracting
wealth 90 tho extent Of from 81 0co, ,ooc
to ss.ooo,OOo.
What IL true concerning the increased
valuation of property in New Jersey as
the result 81 scientific road making Is
undoubtedly true. in large measure,
~ regards other parts of the country.
II u we'll known that in the Empire State
where during the four years preceding
1899. $4,000 had been devoted under
the Higbie-Armstrong law 20 highway
construction, real estate has appreci-
ated in value greatly, particularly in the
sections Immediately affected by the
expenditure in question; and IL IL ex-
pected that, inasmuch IA tho amount
Of money to he spent this year for road
building in this State will be larger by
far than that spent in the past, the re-
suits to be achieved therefrom will be
corr@pondingly good.
There is, however, no special reason
why New York and New Jersey should
present a striking illustration Of the ad-
vnntags accrung from improved high
ways. Although the good roads ad-
vocates here have been active and deter
mined. IL is doubtful IL they have been
more jealous in their efforts than the
friends OF the movement in some other
States. notably Massachusetts, Connect
icut, Pennsylvania. Illinois. Kentucky.
Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, not
20 mention various parts Of the West.
where progress in the direction indica' ed
has been markell.
The people Of Massachusetts have
been extremely aggressive in the matter
They have employed highway experts
20 procure and examine minutely various
materials and combinations Of materials
adapted for roadbeds. IN order 70 de-
termine which was the best and an hour =
ride in any direction within the borders
Of the Raw State il sufficient 10 convince
an intelligent observer that the money
spent fo improve its thoroughfares has
been spent wisely
The introduction of tho automobile
has, beyond question, stimulated greatly
the interest in the highways of this coun-
try With this new conveyance people
nowadays think little of travelling fif-
teen or twenty miles by road. whereas
ten milos behind horse might seem
n comparatively long distance. Hence.
there is a stronger tendency than be-
fore 10 establish permanent homes in
the country. A the work 81 road max
ing continues and avenues are opened
which will remain passsble the year
around. this tendency will surely in
crease and develop; and, as prominent
member of the Ontario Parliament re-
Gently predicted, it may not bc long be-
fore the tide Of migration to our cities
will be effectively turned toward tho
country as the result of the united eirol
that are being crer'ei 20 improve the
facilities Of transportation.