Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-08-10
GOOD ROADS CAMPAIGN
Practical Work Of Construction
Discussed by Col. Moore
Winston Churchill Unexpectedly Appeared
for Short Address-Plans for Perma-
nent ORGANIZATION.

nent Organization.
The Windham county good roads con-
vention at Brattleboro Tuesday was one
of several similar meetings arranged
for different counties OF the state, under
the auspices of the National Goods Roads
association. with a view to the organl-
cation of local associations and the
awakening of a more general interest in
the condition of Vermont roads. Repre-
sentatives of the national association
| will remain in Vermont for the present,
| to act in an advisory capacity and COOP
| crate with boards of trade and other
| local organizations, in carrying on the
good roads movement. During the ses-
sion of the next legislature a state con-
vention will be held at Montpelier when
/ II win undoubtedly be the plan to urge
further legislation
one OF the principal speakers Tuesday
was Col. w. II. Moore Of St Louis, pres
ident OF the National Good Roads asso-
| citation. Col Moore has been engaged in
work connected with the improvement Of
| highways since 1890. At that time he
| was delegate to a convention of prisons
| charities and corrections at Des Moines,
| Iowa, where he outlined views favorable
to the employment of convict labor on
highways. The convention expressed dis
| approval but the discussion at that time
| aroused his interest in the general sub
| ject OF highways. Through his efforts
| the first good roads convention was held
at Kansas City shortly after and an
| interstate association formed In 1893. He
| was instrumental in securing an appro-
priation from Congress for the organiza-
ton of a government road department.
| In the intervening time the National
| Good Roads association was formed,
| which is supported by private subscrip-
ton. A general convention was held at
Chicago in 1900, with representatives from
m
| the railroads, the association has run
instruction trains through many sections
OF the country. has assisted in building
SO stretches OF model roads in different
states and has succeeded in getting legis-
lation enacted in 10 states.
Morning Session.
George w. Pierce served as chairman
Of the Brattleboro meetings. The morn
ing session was opened with an invocation
by Rev. E. Q. S. Osgood, which was fol-
lowed by addresses Of welcome to the
association. John Calvin. for the viii
lage, spoke OF the men. the institutions
the business enterprises, and the scenic
| advantages that had contributed to the
progressive Brattleboro Of today. and ex-
| pressed hope that the roads of the towr
| might be tributary to her success to a
greater extent than in the past. For the
town. Charles o. Robbins, president Of
the board Of trade, referred to a recent
trip into Massachusetts and New Hamp'
shire and the excellent roads observed
there. Brattleboro is the first town or
the east side of the state to hold a gooC
roads convention, which Is appropriate
in view of its proximity to the two siste
states in which many miles of good high
ways are to be found A. A. Dunklee o
Vernon gave few hearty words OF wei
come for the county.
The principal address OF the morning
Good Roads Movement" He espresso,
! his appreciation OF the words of the pre-
} vious speakers, and explained that he ant
! | his associates had come here in an ad
visory capacity only. There Is need o
r an agitation for good roads, for. with tn
! exception of two or three western states
| | Vermont Is as far behind in her road
( as any state In the Union. Her probler
} | is a large one. There are $4,000 miles G
| roads and TO improve these, or half O
them. at $500 mile, would require man
millions OF dollars. In Windham county
where there are 700 or 500 miles OF roads
500, 900 or sos, 900 is appropriated-enoug
/, good road. There is no economy in try
ing TO build permanent roads on the 81
or $40 per mile available. What can
done to meet the situation?
The basis OF all work in a state situate
? like Vermont must be the dirt roaC
the work on these as economically an
z | permanently as possible. To contribui
i to this end more must be done to edu
cate in correct methods. Cornell univei
sitys has established a department
T road engineering and set aside $50. 0C
for the purpose. Similar action has bee
y taken by Massachusetts schools
J. course should also be established at II
: University of Vermont. for we cannt
consistently find fault with road officla
when We have done nothing to educa
them while they are boys.
The speaker commended the action
the state in abolishing the work -ou
system of caring for the highways ar
the appointment OF the state highwa
commissioner, and gave his views
regard TO methods for meeting the el
penses of road work From the fact thi
the roads are the means Of access to Il
larger places for the isolated farme
the latter has been regarded as the OF
upon whom the burden of road taxatiC
should fall. But the business man, Il
corporation, and all large interests a
as dependent for their prosperity upC
good facilities for reaching the reno
districts, and securing the products
the farmer in exchange for their good
as is the farmer In such interchang
Good roads are as important as Il
canals and rivers which have been
improved by immense appropriations
| government money. more feSpOnSlDln
should be placed on the state, in conjun
ton with the counties. In fact, viii
it might not be advisable to undertal
state roads. two such highways, runnii
the whole length OF the state, one on Il
east side and one on the west side, wou
pay a handsome dividend through Il
income that would be derived from on
side tourists. More liberal laws shou
be enacted under the supervision OF 4
encouragement of the state and Il
state highway commissioner. The speak
explained how and why he should pref
to use convict labor for work on Il
highways, than for the production
manufactured products.
In the absence Of Eli Porter, who W
to have given some road statistics
Windham county, Hon. c. S. Gates, I
state highway commissioner, was call
upon. He expressed sympathy for I
much abused road commissioner Of I
different towns. The commissioner
allowed to hold ONCE for while, and tn
put out because The hasn't fixed 'ol
road" and so a green man is given I
place and educated at public expenl
He agreed with the previous speak
that the basis Of operations in Vermo
should be the making and repairing
the earth roads, however much we m
enthuse over the macadam roads
Massachusetts, and New Jersey. "
should all be in our graves before o
IL, 900 miles OF roads could be improv
by the latter method Of constructiC
We have made improvements In n
years, through the more intelligent U