Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-10
PROMOTING BETTER ROADS
State of Iowa Is Now Carrying On Educational Campaign in Thor
 oughfare Construction.

Iowa proposes to instruct and educate her farmers in the technic of good road making. Recognizing the fact that if an evil is to be remedied, it is good logic to begin at the root of the mat ter, the Iowa good roads commission has conceived the idea of holding a short course in road building in which practical demonstrations will be made and useful instructions given. The Prairie Farmer Believes that ultimately valuable and far-reaching results are destined to be realized in Iowa provid- ing this work is properly supported and systematically carried forward.
 Some good road promoters seem to be of the impression that any progress toward better country roads must be- gin with the state legislature. On the other hand it seems clearly evident that effective results must first spring from the demands of the farmer
 Convince the average farmer that the so-called good road is good thing, and public sentiment will demand all req sonable improvement In establishing a course of instruction on the advisabil- tty, utility and proper construction of the rural highway Iowa seems to have conceived the importance of getting down to the root of the matter Vixen the farmers of that state have become convinced that the good road is prac- ticable as we'll as a useful utility, we anticipate that there will be no diff culty in securing the enactment of any desirable legislation.
 As class we do not believe that the agriculturist is opposed to all advance ment in the proper construction of high ways, but it is evident that any lcgisla- tion attempted by any general assem- ply in the middle west will have to en- counter rough passage until the farm CT is thoroughly convinced that the good road law is an actual advantage
 In many of the leading states of the corn belt and adjacent sections, the ex- pertinent station and agricultural col leges have liberal appropriations made annually. Ten years ago this was not the case, but having demonstrated their usefulness the farmer as a class urges liberal state assistance Tn a large measure this evolution of senti- lnent must take place in reference to the good road proposition. Iowa has set the educational machinery in motion by an- nouncing its short course
 Perhaps the most commendable fac tor in the Ames movement is that work will be conducted along the line of de- veloping the rural highways by utiliz- ing home material. There is no oues- tion but what good roads can be made out of soil and gravel if the earth is properly handled. The Iowa highway commission proposes to make it's be- ginning along this line. and wisely adopting this course. they will at once secure the interest and cooperation of many of the most progressive farmers of that state.
 In her new work Iowa deserves 10 succeed. Her commission has begun on the plane where the farmer finds him self at the present time. When 1t has been demonstrated that the possibil- ities of The earth road have been exhaust ed, we anticipate that the farmer will he ready 10 take the initiative in provid- ing for better things. Then the much desired improved rural highway will approach The reality.