The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-12-02

wardhess of our own country in almost
every phase of road construction and
maintenance.
Widely differing conditions render
comparisons difficult, yet q study of
the roads of. these countries, the high
state of intensive. agriculture noted
everywhere, with the resultant beauty
of the surrounding landscape, proves
most interesting and instructive. They
furnish lesson which America can
not afford to ignore.
"The law of gravitation is universal.
The question. of gradient applies alike
to every road In every. country. The
traffic to be handled, differing as 1t
does in quantity and character. de-
mands way over which 1t can be
moved. To do this at minimum Of
cost, considering both the surface of
the road and the means of conveyance,
is the problem. The road must be diff
ferently adapted to meet varying con-
ditions. In other words, the traffic
must be suited to the road or the road
to the traffic
Experience and observation are the
best teachers. In the opinion of those
whose views are herein expressed the
attention of the American public
should be directed primarily to three
things in road construction, namely:
"First.-The selection of the route should
be made with reference to gradient, align
ment, character of soil, drainage and gen.
eral adaptabilty for road purposes
"Second.-In construction the character
Of the traffic to be borne. the accessible
!ty and cost of material should be care
fully studied The road best suited for
horses differs in character from that best
adapted to motor vehicles, and wherever
possible different ways should be provid-
ed for different kinds Of traffic on the
same route. In America, where for years
to come earth roads will form a large
proportion OF our highways, much future
expense may be saved by planning these
ways so that when a portion of the road
is metaled an earth road may still be
had at one side, thus relieving the metal
| surface of considerable traffic during GER
:ain seasons of the year.
"Third.-Too much stress cannot be laid
on the importance OF the proper main
tenance of our highways. No road Is ever
inished. Traffic begins to !, pound and
wear away road before construction is
completed. Maintenance must begin on
the very day the road is opened for traf-
&c and continue without ceasing through
out the years to come.
Two of the best specimens Of roads
seen were In England. In the vicinity
of Nottingham we passed for more
than a hundred miles over roads built
by E. Purnell Hooley which were as
nearly perfect as 1t seems possible to
make them. In the environs of Lon
don we rode for an equal distance
over roads which were well built, the
surface of which had been treated un-
der the, direction of Sir Herbert Pread.
All of these roads carried heavy traf-
fic, including automobiles and traction
/ engines, yet they were perfectly
smooth and free from dust They ex-
emplified in a startling degree the ef-
feet of careful construction and con-
ttant maintenance, where stitch in
lime saves nine as opposed to the
aissez faire of some of the leading
thoroughfares of our own country as
well as around the French capital
1.-THE first international road con-
gress was productive of great good;
the second international congress.
which will be held in Brussels two
years hence, promises greater things"