New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-08
4 PROGRESSIVE MOFEMENT.

That part Of the Governors message which
deals briefly with the good roads interest is
suggestive and encouraging. it IS true that
what has thus far been accomplished III high
way Improvement bears only small ratio TO
what remains 10 he done, and il we were TO
consider merely the number OF miles brought
under the operation OF the act Of 1898 there
would be little reason for congratulations But
that is q relatively unimpOrtant fact Inc
really significant thing is that public opinion
has been educated 50 rapidly within the last six
years that local demands for the expenditure
of money on public thoroughfares have far out
run the allowances made by the State.
Since the policy embodied in the Higbie-Ar1n-
strong measure was adopted 4S4 miles of road
have been improved through the cooperation of
the State with the counties. The total mileage
is 74097 and the Governor estimates that suit
able treatment Of 10 per cent OF that mileage
would give New-York fine highway system.
From this it appears that about seven thousand
miles remain TO be improved. or, In other words,
that only fifteenth part of the distance tow
ard the desired goal has been traYerSed in SIX
years. But fortunately that is not the right
way TO look at the matter. The counties have
not only contributed their share of the cost or
rebuilding the asa miles now in good condition,
but have furnished also their share of the cost
Of rebuilding GIG additional miles, for which
plans are now ready. Local sentiment, there
fore, has compelled the putting up OF local
funds to improve !, 100 miles, more than one
seventh OF the whole prospective undertaking.
But even that does not nearly complete the
record Of local effort, petitions having been pre-
sented for the reconstruction of $3.50 miles
From these figures we find that the State is
delinquent not the counties, and that is an e1-
10 hnrri
ming it was justly urged that something should
be done by the legislature 10 encourage and
stimulate the feeble demand which existed here
and there for road improvement and the
pectation of some at least, OF those who advo-
Gated the original step was that the State,
through the legislature would long continue TO
lead the advance. But that delusion quick
" dspellcd. In this commonwealth rs every
where else small object lesson was the only
thing needed to produce conviction in the minds
Of those who witnessed IL and TO start con-
slant and progressive movement. 1t is always
so. There has never been an exception to that
rule in any locality. II is the local COmmuni-
ties that are now eager 10 tax themselves in
order 10 procure the aid OF the State. and we
think the Governor is safe IN saying that prob
ABLY within six or eight years all necessary
roads will be under construction or will have
been completed, provided funds are available
that IS the States half OF the requisite sum.
The Tribune has taken care TO ncquaint itself
with the condition OF public opinion. which it
ventures 10 think II has helped 20 develop. and
we do not hesitate to declare that the legislature
viii run a serious risk of general condemnation
If It falls to make liberal provision for road
Improvement
Among the most earnest and well directed
meetings which are held in furtherance OF pub
lie projects are those which relate exclusively
TO this matter. An example of the feeling which
they represent and difuse IS In the strong
support which has already been obtained for
the large scheme OF continuous highway Of
the best quality across the State through the
southern tier OF counties. That is not an over
ambitious project. 1t is based sound cal
culations OF general advantage. Indeed, It Is
surprising that disconnected strips of good road.
such as have been brought into existence dur
ing the last six years, have been enough TO
prove the case to so many minds, inasmuch az
they are capable Of rendering only fraction Of
the service which they would render II they
were parts OF an established system.