East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-05-16
COL. RICHARDSON
ON GOOD ROADS
Continued from page 81

attended the convention at Dallas
year ago. heard yourself and others
talk on the benefits of permanent
roads, and how they might be secured
by each community or district making
q beginning. resolved to try, and
this is the result of the first year. We
find that we can build them; that
they are the most economical, and
our county judge and road commits
sioners are enthusiastic for extend
ing these roads throughout the coun-
ty." I mention these two cases to
show you what has been done, that it
may encourage you to do likewise.
System of Patch and Mend.
The trouble with our road affairs is
not SO much with our road officials
as it is with the system. We patch
and mend without durable construc-
ton and maintenance. Our time and
money is therefore almost wasted
from year to year, If it should be-
come the fixed practice of the coun-
ties to build each year on some one
road, at least one mile or more of
permanent road, it would be surpris-
ing how rapidly the leaven of the ex-
pertinent would work in that COM
munity, and how soon would be real
ized the extension Of permanent sur
facing upon all the principal high
ways.
1t is usually in the beginning where
the difficulties are to be contended
with. There is a demand that the linn
tied road fund must be sprinkled in
patchwork all over the county, and if
any substantial portion is segregated
to permanently improve any one
road howl Immediately goes up that
the county court or commissioners
are spending all the money on one
road neglecting the others. These
officials are censured and placed un-
der the ban of political disfavor, and
their chances of commendation for
service, or return to office, are dis
couraged. 1t takes a good, nervy, pa
triotic man to stand firm for the
best public interest against these in
fluences. We do not always find
them these days. Our public men, as
a rule, are followers rather than
leaders. I have never known, how
ever, where a county official was firm
and patriotic, enough to public inter-
ests to do right, and give to the peo-
pie some substantial return in the
way of Improvement for the money
expended during his term, that while
he might not have met with tempo
rary reverses on account of the pre-
judice engendered, still, in the end
he would receive the encouragement
and commendation his administra-
ton deserved and merited, There
fore, 1 appeal to the road officials tc
make a beginning in their county
and road district in the state, by
building, each year, a section of per
manentIy surfaced public road. 1 be-
lieve the day will come, and 1t is not
SO far distant, when the government
will lend it's aid. at least to the con-
struction of great trunk-line high
ways, crossing the continent and con-
Meeting the great cities and CONNER
cial centers of the country. The
states will classify. build and aid in
StoNO AOoNS
connecting each and every county
Each community will always have Its
portion of local roads for their owr
construction and maintenance. There
fore, begin now, and build at home
and agitate for the larger develop
ment in state and nation.
"Good Roads Day"
The fifth annual National Coco
Roads convention will be held in thu
city of Portland. at the auditorium
Lewis and Clark centennial exposi
tion, June 21-24, 1905. Saturday
June "a, is designated as "Goot
Roads Day" on the exposition
grounds. 1t will be observed by ap
propriate addresses by distinguished
men, learned in all the sciences, art
and technique of the subject. Ar
rangements are being perfected TO
an object lesson road to be construct
ed on the grounds for exhibition pur
poses. This road will show the prin
ciples- of construction, from founda
ton to finish. 1t will exemplify mod
ern methods of grading, crownine
rolling, surfacing and drainage, to
gether with the operation of the lat
est improved road-making machinery
The deliberations of the convention
will be devoted to the description @
the practical, scientific, ethical an
economic phases of the subject. En-
gineers and experienced road build
ers and experts will talk upon tn
construction, the use and applicatio
of proper road material, the cost an
maintenance. 1t is urged that tn
cities, the business interests, the edu
cational, as well as the agriculture
of the state, be represented in thi
convention by full delegations. Muc
will depend upon the energy and e1
fort of the State association and tn
Development league to insure its sue
cess.
There is much to be learned abou
roads and road-making. No man ca
seriously study the question withor
becoming an enthusiast. Knowledg
makes us masters. If we would hav
and appreciate good roads, we mui
know how to build them. The tas
is not an insurmountable one. Moo
ern science and practice has demon
strated that durable roads can
built without a great expenditure {
labor and money. as under the ol
methods. The base or foundation
tho road is the natural Garth ther,