Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-04-06
GOOD ROADS IN PROSPECT.

The following outline Of the operations
of the road-improvement laws OF other
States, and the benefits expected TO be de-
rived from the revenue from oyster leasing
| in Maryland, is by an expert who has stud
| led the subject closely:
"New Jersey and Massachusetts are look
ed upon as leaders in the good-roads move
ment in this country, and each has me
system of splendid modern highways. New
Jersey began the construction OF these roads
in 1892 and Massachusetts, 10 1894. In New
Jersey about 10 miles were built the first
year, the average cost being nearly 5000 q
mile. In Massachusetts 20 miles were built
the fret year, at an average cost OF about
$4,000 mile The Massachusetts, roads
are generally wider and little more finely
finished in their details than those OF New
Jersey.
ain New Jersey at the end Of the first 10
wears 800 miles had been completed BY the
State, at an average cost Of $4.760 mile.
Massachuse has completed 10 10 years
about $40 miles of modern road, at an aver
age cost of less than 5000 mile. Here
also, while the State has been constructing
these roads, the counties themselves. at their
own expense and from the force OF the ex.
ample set them by the State, have completed
nearly 700 miles, in addition, Of the same
kind of road The road systems OF each OF
these States arc an object OF admiration TO
every visitor and q source OF great satlsiac-
ton TO the residents.
"The sum spent in securing these roads
has in each case been found to De most
satisfactory investment for the States, and
incalculable sums have been saved TO the
farmers In each case in the transportation oil
OF farm products 10 market.
"The value of the farms themselves has
materially increased. Many 30 called ADAM
doned' farms, aud those 80 situated a. 70 Dc
improbable because Of the difficulties Incl
dental TO marketing the products from them,
have been found readily marketable a. soon
as a State road connected them with the out
side world. Before Massachusetts began
her State road work the census reports
showed the farm values in the State TO have
been decreasing. Since the construction oil
a system or good roads was begun, how.
ever, the census reports show steady in
crease In the farm values.
an the State OF Massachusetts,, outside OF
the streets in the villages and towns, there
are more than 81 900 miles OF country roads.
The system planned BY the State calls for
the ultimate improvement BY the state Oh
about 400 miles OF these. The remainder
Of the 81 900 miles is either 10 be improved
at the expense OF localities or to be taken
care OF 10 some less expensive way, and only
expensi vely improved as their increasing
Importance justifes the expenditure.
1.-THE State OF Maryland, Ia the sOcalled
Shoemaker law which went into effect
last spring, has good-roads law modelled
after those Of New Jersey and Massachu:.
sets, and including also some OF the good
] features OF the more recent laws OF other
| States, modified and arranged, as far as prac,
ticable at the present time, TO suit the local
conditions. Il has been 10 actual operation
little less than year, and during that time
about 25 miles OF modern road similar TO
those constructed in New Jersey and else
where have been built under it, ct 40 aver
age cost of less than $500 mile. These
fgCres compare favorably with those ofany
other State 10 this work,