Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-11-14

Stdtt IOdu COulIlSSlOnCl, W thC lNBioih-
ture, just published, is of general impor-
lance to the people of the entire state,
but particularly to the agricultural and
lumber interests. The report covers a
period of two years and gives an intelli
gent history of the conduct of the office
for that time.
Mr.. Sanford was member of the house
in 1900, and the work done by him on the
roads of the state and in the encourage
ment of the building of more permanent
highways proves that Governor Stickney
made no mistake when he appointed him
to the office.
Mr.. Sanford says:
"Since the wave of agitation upon
highway Improvement struck this coun-
try, the subject of state aid has been
much discussed and the ties that have
enacted new road laws have generally
recognized the correctness of the
principle and established law in con-
formity."
The report discusses the various phases
of the subject. and is too lengthy for
these columns, but the portion that par
ticularly effects the several communities
of the state, and which should be under
stood by all interested, is the power of
each county to regulate the amount of
work to be done therein. OF this the
report, under the heading of "County
Meetings." says
"With the present system of depending
upon town road officials to perform the
required work, and holding them
accountable to prescribed regulations,
these meetings are a necessity. They
have taken the form of Institutes, educa-
tional in character, and an entire day
given to the work in each county. AS
permitted by law, experts have been pro-
vded for some of the meetings, men of
scientific and practical road knowledge
being employed. The necessity for these
meetings is being felt and interest in
them increasing. The principles and
road maintenance are here presented and
discussed. The state commissioner eX-
plains the requirements of the circular
letter, also the regulations that are to
govern for the year; the town commits
sioners form their plans and purposes. and
there is mutual understanding on road
matters.
ut is difficult to maintain improved
roads beyond the appreciation of the
people. The standard for a good road
rises in every community as the people
take interest and are well informed upon
the subject. 1t seems surprising, and
yet 1t is true, that selectmen in some
cases have objected to the use of any part
of the town highway tax money for per-
manent road work
cl-,, 81,
a road meeting he held in their town,
urging as reason that the people, even
the selectmen, crticise and find fault
with their work while they know little
about it, or the necessity for it. In some
cases serious trouble has grown out of
these misunderstandings. To Qbviate
these difficulties we made special effort to
get selectmen and others interested TO
attend the meetings in their county, and
many came. At the fourteen county
meetings. held in 1902, there was an
attendance of 245 town road commission
ers and 90 selectmen and citizens. There
must be cooperation upon the part of
towns If their roads are to be improved
at state expense. Failing in this and to
comply with the regulations their
apportionment should be withheld.
That load is more easily hauled on
q w iut-liitu WdSOu. vi SoOu TOdu. Is
beyond question, and that it improves
the road instead of destroying it is also
true; every argument il in favor of their
use for heavy work. In 1901 the town |
commissioners were asked to report. If
wide-tlred wagons are used more than
formerly, and with what effect upon the |
roads, The answers were almost unani- |
nous in saying There is great increase
in their use, with beneficial effects to the |
roads This is important, showing that |
by the change, instead of injury to the |
roads, the same traffic improves them
without additional expense. Agitation
on this subject should continue as a true
understanding of it will do more to bring
the desired change than arbitrary law.
"With improved roads we have the
motor bicycle and the automobile; the
latter. especially, menace to people |
who travel by team. The rapidly moving
automobile is a terror to most horses
upon the highways. One instance was
brought to our notice of a heavy auto
mobile, containing four men, running
eleven miles between two Vermont vi
lagos in n minutes. OF the runaways
along the route only two proved serious.
Statute law regulating the speed of
horseless carriages upon highways would
seem prudent.
'Many of the Incorporated villages
fail to get the benefit of state aid appar
emily from their having no street COM
missioner or road official with whom we
can get In contact. Some villages are
represented at the county meetings by an
official, and in such cases there is no
hitch.
"ln April of each year letters were
sent to all village clerks asking the name
OF the street commissioner, and, later.
circular letters and blanks were mailed
to every street commissioner where
known, and when not known, directed to
street commissioner or village trustee.
In 1901 from eight villages we received
no response and no claim for state road
work, and in 1902 six villages made no
claims"
Opportunity.
Here is a bit of nonsense that contains