The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1905-11-28

or WOOL, STOCK, or even WOOD or lum-
Der, in the field where produced,
or nearby and adjacent thereto; the
vast majority find the distance to
the depot or wharf a rather long
one. 1t is evident therefore that
the country road must be depended
on to take the product to the rail
way or the waterway, which acts as
the common carrier for the district,
serving here as the connecting link
between the country road and the
consumer, that the railway without
the independent connecting branch
the country road-would there
fore be an improbable venture, is
evident. Taking this into consid-
Grafton it is easy to understand why
the railway and steamboat and
steamship companies take so great
aninterest in these "good roads" ccn-
ventions, and in the development
leagues of the country. Everything
that enlarges the power of the far
mer to increase his production is in
the interest OF the railway and 9th.
er com mon carrier lines, and every
thing that serves to, economize the
hours, that extend the power of the
farmer to accomplish things in any
way Increases his productive abili-
ty. Thus every hour or day of time
taken from the time required by the
producer to haul his product to
market increases the productive
power of that farmer or producer
by giving him increased time on the
farm, making possible his increased
attention to the farm itself.
Increased production naturally
means increased carriage by trans
portation routes. This means that
the railways and other routes are
thus given an impetus that'will lead
through natural channels to in.
creased service through the coun-
try; means increased attention to
the needs and requirements of the
country. This may not have been
Just exactly the policy on all the
main lines of transportation in the
past, but there is no question that
1t Is becoming more and more their
policy today aud will be the policy
of the future.
However as everything has it's
compensating side or it's opposite so
has this matter of increased produo-
ton. While it requires added SER
vice from the railroads., who will
question that it requires added SER
vice from the bra aches, as we are now
in duty bound to recognize the
country roads to be2 Increased
prod uction means increased tonnage
and this means increased wear and
tear on the country branch lines.
That they will refuse to do their
share of the service unless the own.
ers of these branch lines do their
part toward maintaining them in a
good state of repair, or of putting
them in good repair must be as ev-
ident as that the railroad cannot
handle the increased traffic with
the old facilities. Here. therefore,
is the work for the stockholders and
directors of the branch system. Tney
must prepare to handle their share
of the business, and as the stock
holders in these branch lines, like
those of the main lines, want
dividends, in decreased freight ex-
penses, the branches must be put in
proper shape, and the stockholders
will have to do as do the stockhold-
ers of the railwsy, provide the funds
before they are earned. What is
wanted of the branch line, the
country road, is highway that
will permit the moving of the
freight with the least possible ex-
penditure of power. The economic
question here is ''cost of construc-
tion and maintenance of a good
permanent highway versus cost Of
/ purchase of animals, rolling stock,
and maintainancs thereof, together
with added time required in deliv.
cry of product to market The
question Ia whether it is cheaper to
. maintain the wagon roads in high
state of efficiency or to supply more
power in the shape. OF animals fol
draft purposes. Every animal that
lis not producer PER sE is. drag
on the farmer to the extent of the
difference between his earning pow
er and cost of his keep. If two hors
es are being kept and good roads
will make one do the work the 9th
.er horses place may be, taken ii
the pasture by COW that will sup
ply marketable product. every day
! AS it is today the average .expens'
In hauling over the ordinary dir
road is. about Is cents per ton pei
mile, while the maximum In thi
valley can hardly be arrived at
One man with q team Of two horse
can haul about a ton over an ordin
ary dirt road, but give that road ,
hard smooth service and the haul