The Colorado statesman., 1906-12-08
FOR GOOD ROADS
DrHVCR CONVE ENTION GETS
DOWN TO BUSINESS.
PASSES WALSH RESOLUTION
Chairman Rathvon Says There Has
Been Too Much Politics in Road
Making-Addresse by Experts and
Prominent Citizens.

Prominent Citizens.
Denver.-At Wednesdays session of
the Good Roads convention, Thomas F.
Walsh's resolution asking the federal
government to establish a temple of
mineral research in Denver was
adopted without a dissenting VOTE
On the 18th inst Mr.. Walsh will dine
with President Roosevelt, and at that
time, he says, he will make a per
sonal plea for the carrying out of the
plan suggested in the resolutions.
Mayor Speer, at the morning ses-
sion, outlined great system of boule-
wards about to be started by the city.
Chairman William R. Rathvon fur
nished some interesting data concern
ing roads in Boulder county. In seven
years the tax levy has amounted to
$3.50, 900 for roads and bridges, and
there are not five miles of good roads
in the county, he said. Men, methods
and materials are at fault for this con-
dition of affairs" continued Mr.. Rath-
Won. Politics has entered into the
question with the usual bad results.
The roads are no better than they were
ten years ago, but the people of the
county soon will eet together and de-
mand and secure the enforcement of
road control from political domina
ton"
Prof. H, M Bainer of the State Agri
cultural College read a paper upon
Construction and Maintenance OF
Earth Roads" He said that good
earth roads could he maintained in
most places by proper drainage, but
that the main boulevard roads leading
into cities should be of broken stone
or gravel One trouble is that the
crowns of many of our road beds are
too fiat to shed water.
Prof. James Fl. Baker of the State
University and Dean Ketchum of the
University of Colorado, delivered
short addresses. l.. c. Grisble of Fort
Collins stated that in the vicinity OF
Fort Collins the expense of removing
| the sugar beet crops to market would
| be greatly reduced if the roads were
| kept in better shape than they are al
present. He believed the day is not far
distant when there must be road
leading from Fort Collins to Denver
| thence down the Arkansas valley.
From Estes Park to Loveland there is
a road which cost $35,000, and it had
proved of great use to the farmers.
w. G. M. Stone read a memorial
which is to be presented to the Six
teenth General Assembly asking for
the establishment of board of fores
try, the regulation of the cutting
of Christmas trees and the founding Of
department of forestry at the State
Agricultural College.
What Colorado Ought to Do for
| Good Roads," was the subject dis
cussed by Chancellor Henry A. Buch'
tel. governor-elect. He said that a
| sound law should be adopted that
would involve program covering sew
| eral years for the construction OF
good roads all over the state, but 50
succeed, it must be backed by strong
public sentiment.
S. A. Osborn of the Denver Chamber
o. Commerce delivered talk on Leg
| islation of Other States. and What
Might Be Applicable to Colorado" He
said that in a general way all oil the
eastern states are providing for state
aid in the construction and nam
tenance of good roads.
Sam Huston, state commissioner Of
| highways of Ohio, talked briefly
upon the practical side OF road con
! struction.
For years to come the roads of Col.
orado must be of earth surface" said
Mr.. Huston. "All roads should be
] crowned and should receive constant
attention"
Thomas F. Walsh remarked that
there were millions of tons OF gravel
| in the vicinity of Golden and that this
| gravel is an ideal material for road
| construction, having already been
| tested by nature.
]. p. Hymer, representing the Den
yer Real Estate Exchange, read res
olution passed by the exchange indors'
| ing the Good Roads movement.