The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-08
GOOD ROADS.
Where the Roads are Worst We
should Strive to Make Them Bet

"nere the hOhus aro "oS
Should Strive to Make Them Bet.
ter.
From January 20 to the 25th. inclusive,
Good Road Congress will be neld In Augusta,
Ga, and earnest efforts are being mace 10 In
iuence the attendance en- masse OF tne Peo- @
pie in the numerous counties surrounding
Augusta. The railroads will put on special
rates. and speakers OF national reputation
will instruct the people upon the economic
best meth ods of construction. the legal neces-
stiles Of this section, etc.. Addresses Will pc
made by Hon. Martin Dodge, director OF the
road division Of the y. s: Department Of Lac AZ
iop Of ,ss Sg a,visoo Isl H. moore president
Of the National Good Roads Society; Super
intendent Maohen OF the U. 8. Free Rura!
Delivery System; by Goverpors scsndief in1,no OF
and she State geoiosis,s Of Georgia. South
Carolina and North Carolina. Several OF
these lectures by experts yill be illustrated.
from Washington that he will also endeavor
TO be present, Efforts are being made to Be-
cure the attendance OF the Soutn Caronns
Legislature, which will be sitting At tnat Time.
An Invitation has been extended TO Admiral
Schley, who will be In Georgia at that Time
to be present, and bis attendance will be Sc
cured II possible. Admiral Dewey has also
been invited. 1t is desired to get a great out
touring of the people to consider the lmpor
tant matter of puolic road improvement.
train OF ten or twelve cars Of the latest
road machinery will be on hand, In charge OF
the National Good Roads Society, and road
making and working will be carried on 1or
the fye days under the direction OF tnat so
ciety for the instruction OF the public. Wild
this machinery the most rapid, econom ical
and modern methods OF road improvement
will be shown. The public exercises and ao-
dresses will occur on the 23rd and oath.
The greatest need OF this section OF the
South is good public roads. In this particu-
lar we are far behind the age. To Illustrate:
On most OF the ordinary roads only Two ana
three bales Of cotton can be drawn py TWO
horses; in the most improved road sections OF
the United States from ten to Twelve pales
OF cotton or their equivalent, are regularly
drawn BY two horses. It costs the people In
much OF the territory surrounding Augusta
from three to five times what IL should 10 maui
their products; from three to hve times the
investment in stock Ia required IN this Ter
ritory as In good road sections to do the same
amount Of hauling.
II is impossible to expect proper prohts or
much development under such condition.
II is question OF transportation; transpor-
tation being At the basis Of modern develop
ment. People will not emigrate to the sec
tion having poor transportation facilities;
nor ca n the youth reared In such q region oe
retained. Under the poor condition or our
public roads, lands have deteriorated In value
in competition with the superior facilities OF
TRANSPORTATION OF other sections. The only
way 70 reclaim these values and bring perma-
nent development is 10 provide public h1gn-
ways equal TO the best In the country. the
awak ening of the public conscience upon ibis
grave matter claims the best efforts OF the
most patriotic men OF the section.