Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-10-13

The Go Ahead Farmer-Since this new
road was built I can haul a load OF 5000
pounds to market and make two trips in
the time IL took me to make one on the
old mud road. Then. too, 1 can haul in
wet weather. when l can't plow,
His Horses-It is Just play to haul this
load on the new road. See how fat we
are!
era, sketchbook, gun or rod, Is deter
mined by the condition of the public
roads And no one denies today that
the consideration Of recreation espe-
cially Of those wholesome outings
which fine roads promote and bring
within the reach of men of moderate
means, is among the most important
nay, most vital-to the general welfare.
Yet again, leaving the question Of
mere recreation, us we leave that of
mere commercial gain, we still meet
countless sound arguments that war
rant expenditures on our highways,
There is the matter Of rural mail de-
livery, which affects in its turn not
only the contentment. but the intelll-
gence, Of agricultural populations.
Quite as intimately related and yet
more vital is the matter of country
schools, whose upbulding and growth
must depend upon their accessibility 30
pupils In sufficient numbers CONNER
cial ends lose their significance for the
moment when these two points are I'M
der consideration.
Rejecting upon the considerations
enumerated, as well as upon others
presenting themselves, one is readily
convinced that the good roads move
ment, as It has now come to be called,
cannot too speedily or too vigorously
sweep across the entire country But
most especially should every corner OF
the agricultural south and west be
ready to welcome and promote IT,
A notable measure In connection with
this revolution is the utilization Of con.
Wet labor upon road building and i'm
provement - in fact the contining OF
that labor entirely TO such public works.
This experiment is being tried just
now with county convicts in various
sections OF several southern states. and
excellent results are shown where the
measure is carried out with due intel
ligence and care, the supervisors OF
such labor being chosen for their prac-
teal acquaintance with the scientific
principles Of road working and max,
ing.
The county OF Fulton, In the state Of
Georgia, may be taken fairly to repre-
sent the recent progress made In road
building In the south, with the utiliza
ton OF convict labor in a way that
does not compete with private effort
and yet keeps the convlcts in robust
physical condition, at wholesome occu.
patton, where they can somewhat serve
the commonwealth and be least bur.
densome 10 IT,
Half dozen years ago there was not
a five mile stretch Of really good road
In this county, for 1t lies In broken
and hilly region. Today you can take
the driveways radiatlng from the capt
tai city In every direction and follow
any OF them five, ten and even fifteen
miles beyond municipal limits. bowling
HithSdANAl uANhA ONti NNlnlAlAAANtlN
level ebert roads, where all heavy
grades have been cut down and de-
pressions Oiled, thus rendering the
driving that was lately dangerous now
safe and eShilaratine
While the cost OF constructing Ful.
tons new highways has been immense,
Il Is compensated for IN the increased
volume OF taxable values on property
touched by these roads. Pleasant drive
ways from the handsome country man
sions now springing up in great mum
bers from dozen 20 twenty miles out
OF the city connect with the main
roads or lead 10 little way stations on
the local railroads and trolley lines
that multiply as the fine and perina-
nent country highways create an IN
sreasing demand for such accessories.
Can better investment OF county
funds be suggested than Fulton and
other counties pursuing similar plan
have made In the past ave yearsl