The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-09-05
Autos and Good Roads.

Autos and Good Roads.
Early in the days Of motor car de-
velopment one of the most lnslstent
arguments in behalf Of the new de-
vice for road speeding was that us
general adoption would result IN the
Improvement of the American Nigh
ways. The theory was that the cWn-
ers of motor cars would create and
foster the sentiment for road better
ment, and, being usually people OF
means and corresponding influence
they would soon bring about reform
in the highway methods OF this coun-
trv. In some sections this theory mas
undoubtedly worked out satisfactor-
lily, and a large part of the ROAD I'M
Drovement in the United States may
be attributed to the influence OF the
motorists, following as they dld IN
close succession the wneelmen VINO
we're virtually the pioneers in good
roads work.
But the speed craze has developed
faster than the good roads sentiment,
and Just now a peculiar reaction IS
noted in some parts of the country,
as the residents from whom come the
taxes to maintain the highways oe-
clare their unwillingness to contrib
ute to the development of speeding
on the roads to the enlargement OF
themselves, their families and their
property.
This may be the view of the be-
nighted, but it is nevertheless slgnlfl-
cant of the inevitable result or the
serseless scorching that has lately
been practiced in all parts of the
country by the motorists. There IS
furthermore a particular ground for
objection on the part Of the farmer
to spending money in good roads for
the benefit, in part. of the motorists.
1t is claimed that the speeding auto
mobile instead of benefting the high
way by virtue Of the impact of its
wheels is actually destructive of the
surface OF good roads. The high
speed developed by the powerful
touring car, it is stated, results IN
cutting effect upon the surface, the
wheels pushing back with the power
of many horses. 1t may be that az
ter experimenting with various kinds
of surfacing material something will
be found that will not yield under the
pull of the rubber tire.
The country unquestionably needs
tho COLO Nf
the motorists. The farmers need
them sorely in their business OF haul
ing their products to market. The
Department Of Agriculture is doing
excellent work instructing the farm
ers in this matter and demonstrating
to them the actual saving effected by
the smoothness of the surfaces and
the leveling of useless grades. They
are being introduced to the truth that
one horse can do the work OF two
provided the roads are improved fifty
per cent. They are being shown how
two horses can haul twice as much
on a good road as they can on a bad
one. They are being persuaded that
horses working on good roads will
last longer in full strength than those
that are kept Juggling along over mud
dy, rocky, rutty highways.
These demonstrations are OF
character to awaken farmers to their
duty to themselves and their live
stock, and the result must surely be
in the course of few years mate
rial improvement of the roads in all
sections of the country. It is to be
hoped that the prejudice against the
motor car caused by the foolish an
tics of comparatively few will not set
back this greatly needed improve
ment.
In this connection it is we'll to bear
in mind that this State has voted to
spend s5O,0O0,000 in the betterment
of roads. State Engineer Skene is
doing good work, but he has been
hampered by an adverse coterie OF
Republican schemers who have been
intriguing to deprive him of the ad-
vantage he will gain. to himself and
party by effective expenditure of that
great appropriation. - New YORK
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