Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-11-29
lspeciaI 70 The Review.l

States Department OF Agriculture, who
was named by President Roosevelt
as the head Of the American commis-
sion to the recent International Roads
Congress, at Paris. returned TO Wash
ing a few days since, firm in the be-
lief that In some of the more sclen-
tific branches OF highway construction
the United States has nothing to earn
from the older nations, though he was
willing to eoncede that those countries
surpass this to an amazing degree in
the percentage of improved road mill
cage. and In the jealous care with
which their splendid highways are
maintained
Among the many things which es-
pecialy impressed Mr.. Page during ms
European trip were the methods for
regulating automobile traffic in France
and England; the belief of a MAORI
ty Of the delegates to the Roads Con
gress that the automobile running a.
average speed is not detrimental TO
highways; the splendor of French
hospitality: the discovery that many
miles of very satisfactory highways
in England have been constructed by
mixing limestone and granite after Iue
methods set forth In publications Is
sued throughout the United States
Office Of Public Roads, and the anIus-
ing discussion now being carried on by
English automobiles against horse
traffic In city streets and upon subur-
ban b ghways.
1t is his belief that from the con-
gress itself at least one big result
win follow-aTd credit for that must
go to America. On a Suggestion D,
Mr.. Page, it was determined to create
an International Bureau OF Roads, slLit
liar in some respects to the Interna-
tional Bureau of Navigation rms
body viii consist of two or more del
egates from each of the 29 govern,
ments represented at the congress.
Its purpose win be the collecting or
all leBssible information on road work.
the passing on 1t by committee of
experts, and its distribution through
out the world.
The ultimate benefits of so far-reach
ing a move can not now be estimated,
but the world will some day carry a
heavy debt of gratitude TO the govern
ment whose highway representatives
conceived the thought of such a uu-
|
delegates of every civilized country
on the globe.
No better macadam roads are built
in France than can be and are built
in this country; but the mainta ming
of these roads is attended to with Tine
utmost care, and for that reason the
highways are invariably in such SPLEEN
did condition that they excite the envy
of American visitors.
Prior to his arrival at Paris, Mr..
Page spent some days in England IN
the company of some of the famous
highway engineers of the empire. ex-
amining roads throughout England.
Ii is his belief that England has arriy-
ed as near to the solution of dustless
roads-the present day problem Of all
highway engineeTs-as any nation.
Her engineers have given the use oil
bituminOus materials for spraying
macadam roads the utmost thought
and care. Spraying b ghways with
such materials after science has been
called to the aid of the highway build
er has a tendency to preserve the So
lidity of the roads and prevent the
formation of dust; and England has
made such progress in this branch
of road study that many miles of sub
urban roads are as free from the dis
ease breeding dust nuisance as the
best kept streets of the principal cit
les of the world
So firm are the highway scientists
in the demand that these conditlvias
not merely maintain but improve, thai
the first fight against the horse has
been taken UP by TIE sutomobiIists.
When the motor car began to come
into use, the teaming interests of the
world were strong. They berated the
automobile in unmeasured terms,
said that 1t was a menace to the pub
lie and to the horse; that it endaus
cred life and limb; in fact advanced
every argument against it that from
time immemcrial mas been advanced
I against the advent of every great in
/, vention or civilizing influence.
In the early days of the Amer'c can
| Republ' e, the pack-saddle men fought
bitterly against the advent of the Na.,
/ on. They declared It would MAKE
| possible the carrying of heavier loads
and the consequent running of the pack
| saddle industry; the wagon area.
| fought the stage coach on the theory
| that 1t would facilitate traffic and
| throw wagon men out of work: the
stage coach men battled against rail-
roads on the theory that the running
| cf steam cars would drive out tae stage
coach driver; and in each turn was
forced to make way.
The fight of the horse car men
against the trolley car is remember
/ ed by ell. The claim was then made
that 100000 horses would be thrown
out of work, and that the horse breeo-
ers would starye. TIE trolley is well
/ nigh universal, and yet more horses
are raised eacn year than the year be
fore, and they bring better prices.
/ The horse interests have ever
fought the automobile THere have
been thousands Of columns OF aIsur
ment published against it, end shcrt.
sighted men have advocated such
aeaYy taxation against it, that a great
and ever growing industry would have
/ been sadly hampered, had half the IN
wise legislation planned been put in
to execution.
Now highway experts, aided by the
motor car interests. and by a powerful
association of London and its suburbs.
have turned like the trodden worIn,
and started an attack on tee horse.
The claim they advance is that the
Dolluting OF all pubic thoroughffres
IS not done by automobilists, but by
! horses: that If nc horses were allow
| ed to drop organic matter on punk.
thoroughfai es, the dust nuisance would
soon be naugnt but an unpleasant
memory. They advance the logical