The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-08-02
Public Roads and Immigration.

The State of North Carolina Is
1t the present time extremely in
.erested in the subject of immigra-
ion and, through its several depart
nents, is making considerable effort
% bring certain classes of European
immigrants into the State. The class
of European immigrants that are de-
sired in North Carolina have been
accustomed in their own country
to excellent roads and it is natural
and to be expected that section
Of country that is traversed by good
roads connecting the various farming
districts with markets and provide
easy means Of intercourse between
different neighborhoods Will be more
attractive than those districts in
which the roads are poor and at
some times of the year almost i'm
passable.
We not only want European inn
migrants, we want to attract Ameri-
cans from other sections of the
United States to the South to invest
in our farm lands, our waterpowers
and to build up manufacturing in
iustries. Good roads are of vital
Importance to these class of men. A
man examining a farm district with
the intention OF investing in farm
will be more favorably impressed
with the district if he can be driven
to his destination over a good road
so that his entire attention can be
given to the farm lands that he is
passing. On the other hand, If the
roads are poor, as so many of our
North Carolina roads are at the
present time so that his attention
Is constantly being called to the road
by reason of holes, ruts, stones and
the general inconvenience of the
road over which he is obliged to go,
he has little. thought for the beau
ties of the country or the value of
the farming land, and his chief de-
, sire is to get back to the city and
railroad. There is no doubt but
hundreds and even thousands OF
good farms in North Carolina remain
wholly or partially uncultivated and
unproductive on account of the very
poor condition of the roads connect.
ing them with town and market.
II the railroads consider it neces.
;ary to improve their road beds and
their rolling stock in order to build
up a certain section of the country
and spend large sums advertising the
railroad facilities of the section in
their attempts to induce labor and
capital to locate there, how much
more important that the counties
and towns should improve their pub
lie roads, making them as far as
possible macadam roads and thus
)ffer the strongest inducements for
capital and labor to invest in their
districts.
The counties that are attracting
The most capital and labor are those
In which the roads are in the best
condition. These counties will con-
.inue to derive the most benefit from
any movements that are made for
bringing immigrants into North
| Carolina. Good county roads indi.
| cate prosperous county, and this
Is well illustrated in North Carolina,
where the richer, more progressive
and more liberal counties have spent
a great deal of money in building
good and permanent public roads.
1t is a substantial fact that no
State in the Union is so attractive
20 every class seeking new homes
and new investments as North Caro-
Ina. Most of these will select their
locations on good roads. Some will
be deferred from investing on ac-
count of the poor roads in the sec
tions that they had expected to
settle. Many do not want to settle
In our cities, towns or even villages,
but want to be out on farms FIVE
Or ten miles from the city or town
and want to be connected with the
city by good roads. If good roads
are so important to those coming
! into North Carolina. whether they
be capitalists, health, pleasure or
home-seekers. or laborers, how much
! more important should good roads
be to those already settled in North
olina!-Prepared for the South
ern Division of the U. S. Office OF
Public Road Inquiries, by the N.
, c. Geological Survey, Joseph Hyde
Pratt. Acting State Geologist, in CO.
operation with the North Carolina
Good Roads Association.