Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-12-03
=zNSN@yfA;;}s5!;;::, Sc; \;
S(60l0(D !.|E sun 81 i IIE| : :
s E2lQG\[DSs::ziS|@:;:i'' n
x S~Se-5rR1
0ssf S.~~ GNV
farmers and Good Roads.


T HE advocates OF good roads |
will find plenty Of arguments
in the recent report of the IN
dustrlal Commission on the
marketing and distribution Of farming
products. This report shows the value
of good country roads and the immense
saving that could be effected through
them. 1t also furnishes arguments II
favor OF the construction Of electric
lines through the farming sections OF
the country, not only for the hauling OF
passengers, but for the hauling OF
freight.
The report shows that the cost OF
hauling farm products over country
roads is S000,000000 year, or more
than the entire cost of operating all the
railways in the United States. The total
operating expenses of railroads is estl-
mated at only S1S,0O0,000 annually. The
average haul to the nearest shipping
station in the transportation of farm
products is twelve miles, and the aver
age cost is twenty-five cents ton
mile, or So n ton for the twelve miles.
BY comparing this ton mile cost with
the average ton mile revenue of the
railroads in the country, which
amounts to seven mills q mile, the i'm
mense opportunity for saving tnat
would be effected through good roads
may readily be seen. If farm products
could be hauled to market at seven
mills n ton mile, as is the case with
railway traffic, the entire charge for
transportation would be less than S2e.-
100000, rs compared with the $780,
100000 it costs the farmers to haul
their products over ordinary roads.
The building of good roads and the
construction of electric lines will mean
an enormous saving to the farming
classes. Some Of the advocates of good
roads believe that the two could be
constructed jointly, as the cost would
be proportionately less for the building
of good wagon roads, which could also
be used for electric railways. These
electric railways could be constructed
through those sections Of the farming
community which would offer the best
possibilities In the way Of freight and
passenger traffic returns. and wagon
roads could be built connecting these
with all sections of the country. The
farmer who did not live OH the direct
line of IN electric railway could haul
his freight to the nearest point, where
1t could be quickly transferred to an
electric train.
That this possibility is fully realized
by the builders OF electric railways is
shown by the rapid development that
these lines are making as freight car
riers. Throughout the country they
are extending their lines into new terri
tory and standardiZins equipment and
roadbeds in order to provide for the
hauling Of the heaviest freight. 1t is
said by James ]. Hill that trunk lines
rs at present constituted are capable
OF handling from three to five times
the amount of traffic they now carry.
To parallel existing lines would, there
fore, be imnracticablc and "a
Y
LeaVlns@yaA4Hf LeIs@yaA4Hf consideration the almost
lnsurmountah!e difficulties the new
companies would encounter in attempt
ing to secure suitable right Of way |
with adequate terminals in any of the
larger cities, it is certain that no bank
ing house would consider for mo-
meng the underwriting Of the securi-
ties Of any proposed company parallel
Ing existing lines.
The field of the electric railway is !
not in paral!elin:=. hut i'll supplement-
ing, the steam railroad systems of the
country. 1t has been pointed out in /
tie Commercial that electric railways .
have materially lessened the number OF |
passengers carried by steam railways,
and that more and more of the short /
haul passenger business Is going to the
more chcaply constructed and more
cheaply operated electric lines. This
competition is welcomed by the steam |
railways. 4 similar situation exists IN !
regard to freight traffic. The steam /
railroads of the nitcd States would well |.
come any addition to transportation !
facilities which would result in the
centralizing of traffic at shipping points
by more economical method than the /
present cumbersome one of hauling 1t !
in wagons over country roads. Electric
railways can lie made feeders for tho |
steam railroads, and if built with due
regard to the avoiding of competition
they will supplement and increase the
traffic Of the steam railways without
in any way interfering with the earn
lngs of the latter.-New York CONNER
cial Advertiser.