Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-10-06
THE HIGHWAYS.

There is bound 10 be clash OF opin
ion when the question of highway i'm
provement comes before the legisla
ture. The recently formed Good Roads
. association has an elaborate plan to
which it will endeayor to commit the
state that aims at vast system OF
high-grade roads to be built under
! rush orders, at teavy expense to the
state. Doubtless bonding will be a
feature of the financial side. Such
men as p. W. Clement and Fuller c.
Smith favor road building OF this ma
ture. They belong to what may be
called the new school OF scientific road
builders. They believe the needs of
the state are so urgent and the bene-
fits so manifest as to warrant special
legislation of pronounced, radical
nature to bring them about.
Opposed to this idea are the conser-
yatives, who would 90 more slowly
and follow the beaten path. They
are led by State Highway Com
missioner Sanford Among his lieu
tenants will be found most of the
town road commissioners. ana we
suspect the farming element generally
will rally to his standard. Mr.. SAN
ford believes thoroughly in the present
highway law. He argues strongly in
favor Of its continuance He main
tains that since 1898, when important
amendments were made that insured |
the proper use Of the state fund Tor
the purpose contemplated, there has
been steady and constant improve
ment in our highways that only needs
continuance to accomplish all that a
more radical plan, under heavy expen-
diture, would give.
In this difference, count us on the
side OF Commissioner Sanford. We
believe in good roads. We appreciate
their need in most parts OF Vermont
We want the most effective and least
burdensome steps taken. Mr.. San
ford is quite justified in pointing with
pride to what mas been accomplished
since '9s. Beginning then, every
dollar contributed by the state under
the five per cent tax has been ex.
pended for permanent work, and in
our opinion has bought a dollars
worth of improvement. In only six
short years results can easily be
noted. Every town has built many ,
rods of substantial roadway good
enough for the needs OF the traffic.
This work has been done in spots
where the need was most urgent ,
,wampy roads have been filed. sandy !
'oads have been hardened, clay roads J
lave been bettered; and an over a bot |
ON and ballast that mean permanence.
Such roadbeds OF course lack the \
hardness and general excellence OF Q
nacadam, but are quite good enough 3
or the ordinary demands of team
ratiic. Macadam roads ia cities and
owns have their proper place, but y
Trough scattered farming sections
re a waste Of money and effort. The u
Inference between good. per-
nanent highway in such localities
nd macadamized roadbeds is nothing
0 compare with the difference in :,
heir respective cost. This saving b,
an better be applied in other ways II
r lett to the taxpayer himself.
Unless Vermont is prepared to bond 81
self up into the millions, no general -
cheme OF extensive and expensive =
Dad Improvement can be carried oqt N
bat viii serve the people to their salts to
action. A few trunk lines across in
be state or up and down will not DO II
Z The prime purpose OF highways nc
owadays is for local team traffic
he farmer uses them to 90 to town. nj.
he doctor to make his calls; the pleas foI
re seeker Tor short rides. Il is the DO
andreds and thousands Of short su,
lads, crossroads and lanes that serve tor
Ie bulk Of the people OF Vermont ne
hen people travel long distances ~ \