Evening journal., 1907-04-03

In planning a system Of good roads
for the State OF Rhode Island, which Is
divided into two parts by Narragansett
bay, they selected their routes so that
when all the parts had been built they
would have continuous highways
throughout both the Eastern and West
ern sections Of the State. After this
is completed they may then build lat-
eral lines 10 accommodate those living
off the main line.
This system corresponds with the
idea in our State OF building what Is
known as the "State Road" from one
end Of the state to the other. IL is a
fact that the weak should help the
strong. IL was said on the floor Of the
convention by ex-senator William
Finn. Of Pittsburg. that the County
Of Allegheny, which IS assessed for one
hundred million dollars. received but
$4,000 for road improvements while
York county. whose assessment IS
much smaller, receives Se72000; and he
further said that while Philadelphia
and Pittsburg did not receive a cent
for road building from the state. they
Furnished 8 per cent Of the taxes OF
Pennsylvania; thus showing that the
rural districts must have help from
the rich cities.
We wish to say that the City Of Will
mington has done a commendable act
by allowing herself to be bonded for
her share Of the 100000 TO help her
rural neighbors build improved high
ways in order to get merchandise to
the city and aid the farmer TO get his
produce to market.
The residents Of the rural districts
Of this county have a decided anti
pathy for automobiles, they must how
ever, remember that IL is through the
users Of bicycles and automobiles that
the great interest I'm improved public
highways has come and hey must also
accept the fact that motive power I'm
road vehicles has come to stay and
must he accepted as one cf the condi-
tions Of the future The owners and
users of such vehicles are willing to
pay their share Of the taxes, the better
the highways the more they are will
ing to pay and the income derived from
them should be directly applied to the
Improvement of our highways.
The amounts derived from autop,o-
biles IN Massachusetts last year was
$4,000, and in Pennsylvania, $4,000.
This all goes to the Improvement OF
highways I'm those states.
In regard to the Improvement OF our
own roads. We are firmly of the opinion
that we should build such roads as are
bested ntte1 to the conditions govern
ing each particular road. We have in
this county I'm nearly al sections Of
g.. materials which If properly handled
viii make a good and complete road.
In those sections of Il where there is
plenty Of stone and there is much
heavy hauling. use stone: where there
Is good gravel. use IL; and where there
are sand fand clay, use them by put
ting sand on clay or clay on sand. ANY
road should have drainage sufficient to
carry away the water from II.
We believe that by observing the
above principles. we can, in a few years,
have the highways m good condition,
suitable to the necessities Of each par
tscular section.
We wish 10 thank you for selecting
us as your delegates and wish TO state
that the delegation attended every ses-
sion Of the convention and were atten-
tive to its business.
We feel that we have been Benefited
and hope to be able TO put in practice
some things We have learned.
April ?. 1907.
w. A. Scott.
James Logue,
Francis A. Price.