New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-03
TO CREATE GOOD ROADS.
Corporation Formed to Carry Ont
Perfected Plans.

q JCCtCO IdHo'
An enterprise is being organized in Chicago
that will do much to advance the movement for
good roads In all parts of the country The
agitation of the question in the past has been
almost entirely of a public character. and SO
general in it's nature that necessarily It has not
been possible to make much specific advance
ment. In consequence the engineering firm Of
Layman & Layman. of Chicago, has perfected
plans for improved roads and highways. many
features Of which are being patented and the
general design is copyrighted
The Commercial Highway Company, with n
capital stock of S5OOO00 Is being organized
under the laws Of Delaware to operate under
these plans and rights. The company purposes
to undertake the construction of public high
ways in various parts of the country in bust
nessike and commercial way. The principles
which will underle the operations Of the COM
pany VIII result in the roads being turned over
to the public after they have been paid for and
fair return made upon the capital invested.
The plans of the Commercial Highway Company
do not contemplate that the districts through
which the roads run shall be taxed to pay for
them but, the contrary the company pur-
poses TO make them pay for themselves
The essential feature in this plan is that the
company shall acquire by purchase not only its
right Of way. but. in addition. such real estate
as may adioin or be affected in any way by the
construction of the road. The company will he
empowered 10 issue bonds based upon it's real
estate and other holdings. The increased value
Of the real estate after the construction Of tho
road WILL 1t is expected not only pay for the
road itself, but leave a fair profit for the stock
holders Of the company In addition to this tho
roads are expected to earn considerable them
ga14r
The plans under which the company will build
its roads offer many novel features They are
designed to be 100 feet in width. divided
into eight sections ON four Of these sec
ions traffic will run in one direction and on the
other four in the opposite direction on the
outer edge Of the road there is to be foot
path for pedestrians; next comes a l5-foot road
way open only To vehicles drawn by animals;
then comes 24-foot roadway for general auto
mobile traffic. and then a lG-foot roadway for
commercial automobiles. The different parts Of
the road curbed from one another and a
fence is set above the curb. No traffic will be
allowed both ways in the same sectioR. nor will
animals be allowed in the automobile or power
sections. Necessarily the various finds OF traf-
hc will have to cross the differGht sections in
running TO the proper roadway and in leaving
it, but f>rotection in this respect is provided for
viii be made at cross roads br other suitable
points. Overhead crossings of all existing thor
will be a feature
The construction of the rbads Will be along
me latest ana most approved specifications I'M
der the SUPERVISION Of trustworthy builders.
and the character will be largely determined 5v
the nature of the traffic II be catered 10 and
the climate conditions in the territory through
which the roads run. The finishing of the roads
IS designed 10 be ornamental in character and
in addition TO their striEtly commercial uses
and the beneficial effects they viii have upon
the districts through WHICH they run they viii
be neat boulevards fin APPEARANCE
The footpaths will be paved. the free public
road section open to animal traffic finished with
Il first class hard surface ana the automobile
sections in the best form to meet the re0uire-
ments Of traffic. The curbs in the automobile
sections viii be used as conduits for electrical
power which viii afford means for recharging
electrical machines.
The company will seek TO associate with Its
work the leading good roads advocates of the
in which il operates as officers directors and
trustees to represent the bondholders and ad-
visory committees. When highway has been
nnlshed In any part OF the country and earn
ings from tolls and the sale of real estate have
been sufficient to meet all obligations II is pIr-
posed 10 pay on the bonds issued against the
roadway. liquidate all obligations of the COM
pany and turn the roadway over TO the state
with no other obligation on the part Of the COM
than an agreement to maintain the
road I'm first class condition for public use at
all times and at reasonable figures in the toll
The bylaws of the company provide for COM
plete monthly. quarterly semi-annuaI and an
nual reports from all agents and officers the
same TO he published quarterly for the benefit
Of stockholders and bondholders and the public
generally in the districts through which the
roads may run. OF the real estate holdings that
viii remain the property Of the company after
4 roadway has been turned over TO the public
I is provided that - per cent thereof shall con-
'titute fund with which to estab lish and MAIN
ain Industrial schools in the neighborhood az
The highway
It is one Of the main purposes OF the COM
lany TO avoid any operation or deal I'm con-
1ection with the roads that will permit of any
personal private or corporate gain aside from
he strictly business profits of the operation
These are i'm each instance the liquidation of
he bonded Indebtedness on each highway con- /
the payment OF an s per cent interest
IN %5OOOOO preferred stock Of the company, and
lot 10 exceed 10 per cent yearly on the 100000
common stock
The proposed roadWays are designed to create /
broader channels for competition in transporta-
ION, pcomoton and public conveyance: TO link /
more closely the country with the CITY and to |
I'D IN the permanent Improvement prosperity
ma pleasure of the people by providing a sys-
EN- Of highways best suited TO advanced ciyfIi-
ation.