The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1903-10-23
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A National Problem.
T-TlT Is claimed by some that
9 Gll the building Of roads Is
strictly local matter.
- that the benefits are On.
lHl IsI tlrely local. and that the
whole expense should be
borne by the local communities. This
is not the view taken In the most
progressive countries OF Europe. There
the building aud maintenance OF roads
Is one OF the important functions OF
government. France. Germany and
Switzerland are covered by n network
OF the finest roads In the world. Aa n
result the western half OF Europe Is
the pleasure ground OF the world. The
revenue derived from tourists Is one
Of the principal sources OF Income for
people OF nearly all classes. But with
out these good roads, this revenue
could never be secured.
The aim OF the people In those coun'
tries II 10 make their grand noun.
tains, their beautiful lakes. their lively
valleys, their castles and monuments
easily accessible by means OF fine.
hard. smooth roads.
what n contrast appears when we
turn TO our own country. We have
the finest scenery In the world In the
great mountains OF the West Int Il
IA practically Inaccessible. Except MS
they get gllmpses OF Il from car win.
dows. the grandeur OF our mountains
and canyons. and the beauty OF our
mountain lakes. streams and valleys
are n sealed book to the general trav.
cling public. Aud this will always he
the case so long M steep stony noun
tain trails are the only means OF
travel beyond the railway lines. In.
deed. much OF our finest scenery eau.
not be reached even by such trails.
II the United States Government. In
co-operaH don with the States and local
communities would build great smooth
highways. making the wonders and
beauties OF our great West easily ne.
ccsslble TO tourists, IN few years the
tide OF travel would bo turned west.
ward. Not only would millions Of
dollars spent annually by Americans
In Europe be kept at home. but other
millions would be brought 20 our
shores by tourists from foreign lands.
But the natural attractions OF our
country are not the only things which
are made inaccessible by the lack OF
good roads. Our places OF historic
interest are mostly IN tho same cnte-
CORY. Take. for instance. Monticello,
home and tomb OF the immortal JEFF.
ferson. Few Americans even know
where II In. much less visit II. Monil.
cello is only three miles from the city
OF Charlottesville. Va, which Ia on
two great trunk lines. Why. then. II
II 10 little known7 Because three
miles OF about as bad road m can III
imagined lie between II and the rail
way station. One cannot travel ovel
that narrow. steep. rough. muddy
country road without n feeling Of
shame. At present an effort " being
made by a small band OF patriotic men
and women TO build what 10 known
MS the Jefferson Memorial Road IA
make Monticello accessible TO the pub
lie. but only beginning has been
hAuAts ulN AA'N hAf NhhihA ~ AH~NNi
work TO raise funds TO complete the
task.
But after MI the encouragement Of
travel n not the most important rea.
son for building OF good roads. They
nre absolutely necessary for the pros
perity and happiness OF the people
The era OF railroad building on a large
scale Is practically nj an end. In the
course OF commercial ana industrial
development we have reached a point
where the great problem OF improving
the common roads must be faced. We
can no longer treat II ms local cues
ton. We have tried that for three
quarters OF century. and In nearly
every section OF the country the mis-
cradle results are apparent. The good
roads problem viii never he solved
locally. II is too vast. II can he
solved only by the genius. the wealth,
the labor and the patriotism OF the
whole people. A great national move
ment is necessary. In cooperation OF
the nation, the States, the counties and
the local communities lies the solution
OF the problem.