Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-07-18
HOW DOCTORS CAN HELP.
Practical suggestions For Securing
Good Roads.

NOOU AhOAAos
In an article recently in the Auto
Advocate, DR.. II. H. st. John Of Edna,
Mo-. told how physicians might help
secure good roads as follows:
"If any one man on the face Of this
earth knows how to appreciate good
road It is the physician. Except 1t
might be a fireman on the call Of duty
In the suburbs Of some town or city
none can appreciate better than he or
she who has life to save the ines
Unable advantage Of a good road, par
tlcularly when compelled to drive over
II at night What then can the physi-
clan do to assist In the promotion
thereof?
"There are at least three practical
ways or suggestions offering them
selves-viz, one is the education Of the
people the showing to the practical ey-
eryday taxpaylng farmer that good
roads are good investments and pay
over 800 per cent on the net cost.
Educate them, show them the aw-
full waste, the actual loss of money ey-
cry time they haul a load or empty
wagon over a poor road, the wear ana
| tear on their buggies, wagons or carts;
show them that the cost Of building
good road is but little greater than that
of keeping up little dirt In the cen
ter and that road once well built Is
easy to repair and is a good road Tor
many years What roads have ever
superseded those In Great Britain,
many of which are In existence yet.
but all Of which owe their firmness,
solIdlty and durability today to the old
foundations built by the Romans cen
turtles ago when Britain was nothing
but dense forests, plains and ever
glades?
"Who, then, better than the physl
clan. who has the entree Into oul
homes and Is imbued with all the free
dom and privilege of an exclusive
member of every family he visits, who
has a better right or is better capable
of doing a right loyal part In the figh'
for good roads? He Is revered, re
spected. looked up to, and his views
are accepted with degree OF positive
ness and assurance bred In the minds
of his hearers by his calling and hi
higher education.
SECONDLY, let every physician wh'
: owns or controls section of roadwa,
along his property set the example o
building and maintaining a good roao
Then his teaching will have etfec
among his hearers, his efforts In try
l ing to establish county and state goo
] road funds, uniformity Of road Duilo
ing, ETC., will have weight and effect
"Thirdly, let physicians as a class
: special class, express their willingness
e 10 sumbit In the cause OF humanity
b n special nominal tax per annum 10
Q state fund apart from whatever otne
8 ordinary taxes they In common VIII
J. others have to meet, said tax 10 l
Q known and recognized as the pm!
q sIcians' own good road subscription
n and Il will become before long sucn
/ source Of pride and glorifcation OF pm.
s sicians as a class that not only VIII
J. react as a special lever to their teacl
e ing qualities. but other professions az
IS classes, like sheep following a leade
70 will be anxious to emulate them an
e from a sense Of pride to see VINO ca
e furnish the largest pro rata per a
10 nun In the state. Then will come u
IS golden days of good roads IN earnest