Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1903-06-03
More Abonf Good Roads.

I
In view Of the financial and man,
other advantages a good roads, i ma
iorItyoi the farmers would favor thei
CONSTRUCTION as mpidly as praciicabl'
under bome efficient, economical ant
equitable system Of highway inpFoye.
menl. but there Is a considerable pro,
portion OF farmers, doubtless one iIftl
and possibly one-iourth, who have llttl,
knowledge or appreciation Of tho bsne.
hts of good roads, and who, therefore
object on pccount Of The efoh1 cost d
hishuAs inpiptament Tho fi.S.efs Of
thil class know that they vill6aSe "a
bear their fun share Of The burden o.
such improvement. They discredit, moi
wholly without reason, the statement
and eonssnsus Of many public writers
as TO the losses and gains to farmers
from poor and good roads, respectively;
hence they view with apprehension the
general agitation IN favor Of improved
highways, ignoring or undertaking the
educational and social advantages as
well as the comfort and enioyment Of
good roada, or feeling unable 70 pay tho
prizes Of such benefits, those farmers re-
gard with distrust and disfayor measures
for highway improvement, and they are
likely 10 oppose efforts for the better
ment Of our roads unless they can FIRST
be convinced that good roads win prove
aeood financial Investment. Speaking,
therefore, in behalf Of those who, Tor
any reason, are not influenced by the
higher considerations in favor Of inn
proved highways, I raise the question,
Win II pay the farmers IN dollars and
conss TO improve their roads9
Before attempting to answer this
let US consider In what ways
permanently good roads will prove
financially beneficial to farmers. Ali
will agree, l think, that good road
will:
1. Economize time and force In trans
portation between farm and market.
2. Enable the farmer to take adyan-
age Of market fluctuations in buying
md selling.
8. Permit the transportation of farm |
PRODUCTS during seasons Of comparative
eisure.
4. Reduce the wear and tear on horses.
larness and vehicles. /
5. Enhance the market value of real |
Igtata. f ~
But there is another side to this ques-
ion, VIZ, the increased value of land
rom highwas improvement. 5uHt 1erlE |
he objection may be raised that thb
roads would not increase the
capacity OF the land, while
he enhanced commercial value would 7
Increase the taxes. Let US, for thesake
1 argument, grant this plausible but
allacious objection and then find what
amounts to. Lei US suppose the In
Bease in appraisement for taxation to
q 81 an acre and the tax rate II r. /
This would mean an annual increase
i taxes OF cents an acre, or s. q hun
red acres. Would not our objector, af-
II enjoying the benefit Of good roads.
. very willing to give therefor the ex-
d S5 IL recessary? Would he keep the
Ioney and go back 10 the thralldom of
Iud roads? II 80, he has the option of
sling his farm at an advance, accord
lg to the average estimates Of his
rother farmers, that win more than
oubly reimburse him for his expendi-
ire on highway improvement, and he
in then remove TO some native wild
hose quiet waters have not been trou-
led by the spirit Of progress.
In view Of the general recognition
nong farmers Of the necessity and
sneffts Of good roads, | am encouraged
believe chat large proportion of
10 farming classes will join with the
sopls Of the cities and towns in an ef-
'rt to DEVISE adopt and put into exc
ition some efficient, econmical and
iuitable system of highway improve
ent. That there are some who would
,alize little substantial gain from high-
ay improvement must be admitted, but
base an argument against good roads
i this fact would be to do gross injus-
% TO the great majority Of Industrious,
lrifty, enterprising farmers who are
oing SO much to make old Missouri one
the foremost agricultural states in
lennipn.
The matter Of bonding the state fer
ii, fifteen or twenty million dollars at
or 4 per cent, bonds to be issued in
nall denominations, SO that our own
sople could buy them, could be sub
lifted to a vote Of the people at d gem u
al election, and If successful the pro- ,
ieds could be distributed pro rata
nong the counties Of the state. This
ould be good start with which to be-
IN the great work. And another thing:
he treasury at Washington Is full to
ierfiowing. Congress should adopt
Ime plan to divide this among tho
ates and let them put it to work where
would do the people some good. The
'unties could then begin the work from
eir respective county seats, radiating
all directions from the county seat.
he states could then levy a road tax Of
on each taxpayer Of the state, to be
i'd in cash, instead of the Old way Of
wing in labor. This would be suffi-
ent to keep the roads in repair after
sy are once built. We could also use
lr consicts on roads to advantage.
hey, do this in some Of the other
ates, and sayit pays. We could do
!, TOO.
Very respectfully, your ohedient SER
lnt, BEN F. WNrERs.
s-------------------
Wanted We want to buy all the
bite Oak timber and White Oak
Its that we can get in Bollinger {
ountv. We will pay high prices
. IL =, l.s..u and I.a...e l.. l.a..I Z j