New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-17
GRANITE STATE ROADS.
Problem of Betterment One Of
I'm pOrtaRce.


Concord. n. H., Jan. 1.-THE subject of good
roads is of national concern If the meritori-
Gus Brownlow bill. pending before Congress,
is enacted into law, it will become to certain
extent a matter Of national supervision. But be-
fore that day the individual States. antici-
pating and preparing for national aid. will have
done much their behalf for improved high
ways.
New-Hampshire's unique situation. the nature
OF her topography and the character of her popu-
lation. permanent and transient. make the good
roads problem OF immediate interest and I'M
portance in the Granite State. In testimony
whereof. the day following the publication OF
the first of these letters. The writer received a
communication from Charles J. Ghdden. the world
famous autOmobilist.
Mr. Gldden, who feels deep personal interest
in New-Hampshre and her welfare. entered
vigorous plea better roads in this State. urS-
ing especially State highways from Nashua 10
Fabyans and thence to Portsmouth. thus enabling
as he says. "the automobile to reach the summer
places and induce people to locate permanently
among the granite hills
The automobile longer experiment
plaything. but is a very numerous and highly use
full factor in the national life. 1t is Tor New
Hampshire's profit to recognize the claims and de-
sires Of automoblSts and to attract them within
her boundaries often and for as long periods
possible. This is particularly true. because
what Mr.. Gidden and all the other Automobiles
want is just what most of New-Hampshires other
summer residents ardently desire. and what VIII
be OF great Importance in many ways TO ths bust
ness economy of the State whole and all its
interests
This fact has long been recognized. in degree.
and for many years the State has been giving aid
to the towns in the mountain and lake regions in
keeping their roads in repair. AS to the degree in
which these appropriations have reached useful
ends opinions differ. but any rate the State has
thus shown its good VIII to the amount of several
hundred thousand dollars.
There Il gr.Luual Improvement also in
the change from the highway district system OF
road construction and repair the system.
and the legislature OF 1913 took long step in ad
vance by initiating move for State supervision.
BY this legislation The Governor and council,
with the assistance OF an engineer. were author
lzed TO Investigate the highway problem and 10
report 10 the next leSSla JuTe III the form OF bill
their recommendations Tor the future policy OF
the State this matter Including the location and
permanent improvements. and the method OF pro-
vldlng funds The engineer authorized in this act
Is now at work mapping the roads OF the state
are g-Nhs thoSsht anu personal investigation 10
towns IN repairing roads but OF comprehensive
system OF permanent road Improvement a system
a dollar is expended in construction clearly
to begin and end the expense the State for con-
Suuctlon ana the annual expense Of maintenance
sections OF existing roads composing the system
Foaas out rather than the building of many new
1t will aim to permeate every section Of the
reached, 1t is very likely that ii Will be thought
best taking everything into Considera ton. make
| this state system largely OF well ballaSted,
Well drained and well surfaced gravel roads whose
cost using the prest Mt roaGbed for basis would
be from $500 10 81. so mile. on this calculation
the State could have at the end OF time six
| hundred miles OF the best roads IN world for
travel traversinE the state from its entrances
| the southwest. south centre and southeast the
| White Mountains and beyond, with several cross
sections. This estimate contemplates the division
Some parts of this system have already been
| constructed by the State under special IN
the White Mountains. for instance. there some
| NIFTY miles or State highways practically com
| peted which must be inevitably the pct-
uresqGe and valuable section OF the entire system
Along the seacOaSt the construction OF a
manent and excellent ocean boulevard is we'll ad-
| vanced. These roads. being necessarily con-
| structOn. probably will be the most expensive 10
| build OF any In the entire system.
generally the fact that the building or permanent
roads IS simply business proposition. There Is
| no more mystery about building roads than about
building houses Let the State determine the right
kind or road 70 be built. appropriate the money
/ oul!c It and thus enter upon a policy OF perma-
| businesslike way. conforming the highway 10 the
| kind Of travel for which IL is desired
We know. up here in New-Hampshire. that with
| In a days ride or our summer capital Mount
| Washington, there are l0,0O'N1 people. We would
| like to have least a tenth OF them visit Us
| keep them in as long can, plannln <
| these improvements, designed tC make a good i'm
| preston on the newcomer whether he arrives on
| foot or horseback. by boat bicycle in auto
| mobile, palace car or steam yacht.
The welcome is equally hearty for and all