The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1906-01-17

rOuuS are lnulCitlVc VI
high state Of civilization. The i'm
provement in the condition Of the com
mon highways prOclaims in mute YET
unmistakable language the advance
ment In the civilization Of a country.
Highly specialized Industries, whlch
usually attend high state Of civillzo
ton among people, seldom fouris!,
where means Is unprovlded FOR quick
exchange Of commodities. AS tn
standard of living in communit.
rises, 1t soon finds expression in dt
mand for better roads-rOads suitablH
for the gentlemans saddle horse, fcy
the family carriage for the salesman
road wagon, for the delivery man
automobile car, and for the pleasure
seekers and tourists automobiles.
The most natural system, to folio.
In road building IS to begin the in
provement in the city or village, worE
ing outward in the different direction
OH the lines Of least resistance, but Il
all times striving to reach the CREATE
population and the heaviest traffic.
The work should be placed in charlr
or man who understands road built
Ing and road repair. This statemcrt
Is equally true whether there be muyr
or little money available for the wort
The system which permits the appoir
ment or men as road supervisors r.
gardless Of their fitness for the pC.u
ton Is accountable in n great measu".>
for poor roads and for the feeble ~.
tereSt taken In road improvemeul
Probably there Is no more road WOO.
in many counties than could be supvr
intended by one man, and that M
could be selected with an eye to h,s
qualifications for the work to be don.
which would result not only in bettur
roads. but also in greater cfficiercr
and economy. Such a system prevells
in many Of the older States Of yhr
Union. and it has been suggested tlitt
1t might prove most desirable in t.. '2
section under our conditions.
The use Of improved labor-sav,,H
machinery In the building and repair
OF the common highways 10 dOl.N&
would result advantageously to ~
concerned. TO illustrate: If Il Id.-
chine were devised whereby two nnn
and four teams with the machi 4r
kind of work in day as ten men coui3
perform In the same time with tean!>
and the old slip scrapers, it is evidc!,;
that the purchase and use Of sucl 4
machine. provided, however, that i,.
price was not eXorbitant, would ga
most desirable and would result 81
much economy. Furthermore. If
the same time, with such mach.
the work could be done infinitely IT,.
ter. 1T would seem to be the heigh, -
folly not to invest in one. The moe .r.
road grader is just such mach.,r.
The road grader has become so Dop,:s.1
In most Of the older States to-day t',a'
the old slip scraper is seldom s.
and when it does appear it is 1sa.
only in corners where the grader &
not reach the work. NVithHI mod
grader in the hands OF an cxper ..
every county, the roads leading uu'
from our cities and towns would %G.t
discard their sslrunken appearance ',.,
take on more rounded, clev ,.t.r
form. and the holes and inequal I..
would gradually disappear, leavir.
surface so uniform that they wnait
delight the eye anu afford please,
to the Traveller.
Space will not permit of an ext fq
cd discussion OF the methods ;,'.r
means for road Improvement, bu
least enough has been said to il,
duce subject which is deserving,
much thought among the people 81
this section. We are Oh the eve {. s
great wave Of progress. and w, {.
it not pay DotA the merchant and is..
ranchman to give tho natter Of "a
building and road repair more at -
ton?