Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1908-11-04
z Good Roads. = r
lTrains son HiellMaYs.

of passengersand freight trains on
the highways Of France:
There recently passed this consul
ate a 'Train4Renard,' composed of a
locomotor, two passenger cars and
one baggage car, which had just ar
rived from Paris under its own power
and owe. the ordinary roads, thus sup
plying to the public demonstration
of its own efficiency. The trains
mentioned are composed Of elements,
each receiving the energy of vehi-
Gle called as1ocomotor, (which being
placed atfthe head Of the train dis
tributes the necessary power to the
following elements by means of
transmission shaft extending from
one end Of the train ITO the eother.
thus enabling each car to utilize its
own adhesion to the road surface as
q means Of advancement.
"The locomotor-that is to say, the
creator of;ithe energy-is therefore
lighter than any of the cars. Trains
of this type completely loaded are
able to maintain speed of twenty
one kilometers t13O5 miles) per
hour in case of passenger trains on
levels and from fifteen to sixteen kill
ometers (s.S2sto.s .s.94 miles) per hour
in the case Of freight trains. 1t is
said that the freight trains of this
type are able to maintain an average
of from ten to twelve kilometers
(6.21 to As Fmiles), fully loaded,
in any kind Of country.
"It would be useless to enter into
further details regarding these high
road trains, as far as the United
States is concerned, inasmuch as We
are without a road system sufficient
ly advanced to make their application
possible. On the other hand the
adoption Of passenger and freight
trains over railless roads in France
has become not only possibility but
a fact. Already hundreds of inacces-
sible hamlets, hitherto served by slow
going diligences, are kept in constant
contact with the outside world by
means Of large auto-omnibuses, NOV
ing at an average rate of fifteen miles
an hour, transporting both passen-
gers and express parcels; and now,
following this development, comes
the explosive engine motor, drawing
full trains Of cars, which it is claimed
can besoperated on level or mount
ainous roads at an exceedingly mod
crate expense. In other words, If all
that is claimed for these trains is re-
allied ! 1t will be possible to give 25,-
900 commules in France, which do
not at present enjoy railroad facili-
ties, approximately the same advan-
tages with respect to transportation
as the most 5populous and highly faV-
ored centres.
"This illustrates how much the
creation Of a better highway system
would benefit the rural populations
Of the United States, who are at
great disadvantage in regard to trans
portation as compared with foreign
communities, and deprived of the
various kinds of satisfaction result
ing from the existence OF moderp
|, Great State Road.
In MS address before the Pennsyl-
,yania Bar Association Governor Stu
art led up.to eulogy of the plan to
construct a great highway across this
State from end to end. This project
mas been frequently discussed during
recent gears, but never with better
grasp af the principle involved than
by Governor Stuart. First, there
should be the great trunk line from
Pittsburg to Philadelphia, offering its
accommodation alike to the farmer
on hiseway to market and to the tour
ist seeking pleasure amid the pic
scenes of the Keystone
State. Next, there should be lateral
branches, making this great highway
accessible from all sections Of the
Commonwealth.
This is project on which the State
of Pennsylvania may well expend
sums for the benefit Of its people. 1t
is a rich State and great-in all
things save its public roads. For
reasons clearly set forth by Governor
Stuart Pennsylvania has not such
highways as it should have. But it is
never too late to mend. The great
road is by no means to be considered
an end, it 1t is only a means--a prac-
tical example to encourage counties
and townships to build and maintain
good public highways. 1t will serve
the purpose of showing the smaller
civil divisions how to DO the work.
and it will enemplify the advantages
of having good roads in every dis
trict. 1t IS in this aspect that 1t is
given the sanction OF the Governor
and his encouragement.
The time has arrived in this State
when good roads are essential to its
highest development. Though its in
dustries have thriyen amazingly and
it's farms have prospered, with indif-
ferent roads, its further development
demands that which has heretofore
been neglected. its great industrial
population must be put in closer
touch with its rural population,
which is destined to grow in numbers
and usefulness. Good roads are a
uecessity.-Pittsburg Dispatch.