Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-10-03


Last year it cost about 81 ,S50,000,00O
over one and three-quarterS billions
OF dollars-to transport the products OF
the country to the nearest shipping
point The railroads of the country,
from all sources, took in much less in
gross receipts than this amount, which
is practically a stupid economic dead
loss to the farmers and others obliged
to use dirt roads.
In this connection it is interesting to
know that the cost of transportation
per ton is:
Horsepower, miles, $125.
Electric power, % miles, $1.25.
Steam cars, go miles, $1.25.
Steamships on the lakes, 1000 miles,
S1.25.
The cost Of transportation by gaso-
line truck automobiles has as yet not
been authoritatively computed, but It
is probably less than by electric power,
as charged for by private corporations,
while the coming denatured alcohol
motors probably will be more economical
than either. The essential thing, how
ever, in all the transportation prob
lens Is good, well-drained roads, kept
in good repair.
1t has been the experience in all
ages that no single undertaking Of
government gives as large and perma-
nent returns as do good public roads.
When we'll constructed, they last prac-
tically forever. I have, for instance,
driven over Roman roads built in the
time of the Caesars and saw them still
serviceabIe for traffic and travel.
We expend nowadays many millions
annually for the army. We insure our
expenses with a premium of over $780,
100000 a year for a navy. We have
spent over half a billion of dollars to
improve harbors, rivers and creeks, but
hardly a red copper have we ever spent
as a nation to improve our roads.
There is now pending in Washington
bill, introduced by Representative
Sulzer, giving to the Secretary of the
| Treasury the right to loan, under con-
ditions safeguarding absolutely the
| Federal government, to any State or
| Territory money for the construction or
| Improvement of post roads outside the
limits of cities or incorporated villages.
| The supervision Of construction and
| Improvement is vested in the pOstOffice
department, which will be in a posi-
| ton to exert a control over the methods
used in constructing permanent Ameri-
can highways.
The money is to be paid back into
| the treasury IN yearly installments
| within 4 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES years
drawing no interest If payment is
promptly made, but per cent interest
for deferred payments. A statement of
| all transactions under this law is to be
submitted by the President early in
each session of Congress.
| By this clear-cut policy Of using the
public funds in the treasury to assist
| the States and Territories to build up
a comprehensive system Of permanent
| good roads we will do away largely
| with the enormous economic waste Of
| hauling the products of the soil la
! boriously over dirt roads. incidentally
town and country VIII be brought into
closer alliance, while it hardly is nee
essary to mention the benefits to those
who may travel for business or for
! pleasure.
| | mention the above facts in order
that our friends in the country and all
advocates Of "good roads" may let
their representatives in Congress know
their will anent this bill. Do it now, If
not sooner.-A. Wangemann, In Chicago
Daily News.