The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1907-02-28
A Plea For Good Roads.

IA 11cA FOE OOO0+ ESOdUS /
At this seasenssof thesyear, when
good roads are, possible all over our
State, it may seem folly to make a
plea for good roads, but remember to
prepare. for war in times OF peace !
applies to- communities as it pes to
nations. A ~forehanded Board of SUI
pervisors and a capable road superin-
tendent can do much preparation now
for work later on Too many of US
have become so accustomed to the
bad condition OF our roads, that SO |
long as they are in a passable condi-
ton and we can get over them we do
not stir up to action. No roads can
be improved without expenditure Of
money, no money can4be expended
without the increase of taxation, so
before this question is settleditsw will
not do to talk about good roads. Very
often in thinking Of this problem we
exaggerate largely the amount OF
money it would take to improve our
roads. To begin with let your Board
of Supervisors allow a fair sum or
money to your road superintendent to-
put N good order some portion OF
{ your. most travelled road, beginning
at the courthouse and going in two
directions. Stop in one direction just
as soon as one-half your fund is gone
and expend the balance or the other
portion. It will not be long before
you begin to hear comments, and as
soon as they grow loud enough to be
heard on the court green get Your
best man and call "Good@Roads
Meeting" and have a practical heart
to heart talk with the taxpayers.
These same men and their families
are the users Of the public roads, ana
after a full discussion as to cost, ETC..
let these men decide what amount
shall be raised for "Good Roads,.
Thinking men all over the country
to-day are giving this question of
good roads a good deal of thought.
IS is no longer in the argumentative
stage. Everybody admits that moth
ing adds so much to the wealth and
happiness of a community as good
roads. The efforts made by localities
will be the lever hat shall move the
Enation. to a sense ofswhat-it owes to
the rural residents, and good roads
will be the rule and not the exception.
The great national movement for
good roads is sure to come; it's sure
to bring into it able defenders, men
y ofsbrains who seesin 1t all the broad
craftsmanship the question demands
and who after careful study will meet
.l.aIl. arguments and in the end win out
because they have behtna them moi
only the right but the might Of thai
great body OF organized labor, the
farmers, Already the Government
begins to feel the necessity of good
roads, and the P.O. Department an
nounces that unless the roads Owe
which the rural routes run are kept II
a condition which permits Of cas-!
travel routes will be suspended tenn
porarily. The farmer will not permi
this, for he begins to feel the need o
a daily mail passing his door, or with
in easy. distance of his home, and h
will at once put roads in good condi
ton. The extension of our rural maj
service is going to call for an i'm
provement of our public highways
and just as rapidly as our highway
improve, population is going to in
crease, our social life is going to in
!. crease, and when this last demand
made, good roads will be an assure
, thing.-Richmond T~obacconfst.