The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-01-22


by no means new, but there is
nevertheless something new
in this connection. Some time
ago a scheme was devised by the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture whereby some practical object
lessons would be given to the public
in various parts of the country. All
vided which, through the cooperation
of the railroads, is to be transported
about the country for the purpose OF
giving illustrative exhibitions in the art
of road building. To construct good
roads out of selected material is not
difficult task. but to provide an accept
able highway with local material and
under unfavorable conditions is not
always easy. Realizing the value OF
such a movement to the railroads, Mr..
Hill, of the Great Northern, has placed
train at the disposal of the depart
ment, and it is now engaged OH that
road in demonstrating to the people
what can be done in that line. 1t is
proposed to proceed to the Pacific
Coast, stopping at various places where
the need of such instruction is appar-
ent. and show, through the medium of
actual work. how much the ordinary
wagon road may be improved by the
use of intelligent method and the
proper use of present means.
That the railroads should give all
possible aid and encoura cement to such
a scheme is not strange. No single
interest in the country, agriculture eX-
copied, will be as much benefited by
the general establishment of good roads
as they. Nothing is more destructive
of economical railroad operation than
the periodical interruption of the ever
and continuous Cow of traffic which
results from the condition Of the roads
OF the country is handled to and from
the railroads. To overcome such a
disability all railroads would be JUS
tilted in going. and many of them are
now ready to go, to any reasonable out
lay. There is probably not a system
of any considerable mileage but that
would be glad to cooperate with the
Department of Agriculture in it's lauda-
BILE efforts. The difficulty will be not
in obtaining opportunities for making
the desired examples in the season OF
road building. but in selecting the most
valuable of the many sections which
will be open to it. The Southern Pa
cific Company has already extended an
earnest request that it's lines in Cali
f<,r 1,o fov ho M
doubt such lines as the Santa Fe, the
Rock Island and others will be quick
to follow suit, if they have not already
done so.
Now that the campaign of good roads
has been fairly inaugurated in connec
ton with the railroads. it may not be
out of place to suggest that the coun-
try press take up the subject vigorous
ly and encourage the people throughout
the country to do their part. Up to the
present time there has been too little
displayed by those who will
be the chief beneficiaries in such 4
Work done upon the roads
has been commonly considered as OF
minor Importance, and only to be per-
formed when it could not be avoided.
To voluntarily devote any considerable
time and money to such an object was
hardly TO be thought of, but it is be-
lieved that throughout the West, at
least. a more reasonable opinion now
prevails. To concentrate this opinion
into action is Il move for the rural press
than which nothing can be more inn
portant or profitab and En-
cheering Review.