The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-03-13
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Rural Deliyery's Demands.

But the large crops and high price
OF all farm products for the past few
years. together with the general pros
perity OF the whole country, tend TO
increase the desire for the good
things OF this world, and affords
more leisure 20 enjoy what we have.
The Increased number Of people who
ride over the country for either
pleasure or business, TO say nothing
OF the driving required by the great
system Of rural delivery which has
so recently been inaugurated, have
created a pressing demand from one
end OF the country TO the other for
a better grade of highways than have
heretofore been dreamed Of. Some
roads will be built by the national
government and others by the States,
but the counties will always be the
greatest promoters and builders OF
good roads
Some States arc already spending
millions on their highways. Massa-
cbusetts appropriated S25, 100000 a
few years ago for that purpose and
now has many miles OF beautiful
roads as smooth as asphalt paving.
All Europe abounds in fine roads;
but they have been at 1t for centu-
ries and have learned the art TO per-
lection. 1t may take generations 10
put all our roads in as good condition
as they are abroad, bat we have
made the beginning, and each year
will doubtless show much progress as
whole Even California ia farther
advanced I'm road building than We
are in Ohio.
Here is what George w. Lattlmer.
chairman OF the Joint Good Roads
Committee OF the Ohio Board OF
Commerce and the Ohio State Grange.
has TO say on the subject Of good
roads in his recent report:
"The farther one studies and in
vcstigates this subject. the more he
IS convinced that it is one OF the
greatest problems OF the United
States. It touches the welfare and
interest Of more individuals than any
other one question that IS before the
American public to-day. There is
country or city, that IS not obliged to
use the roads.
Owing to the extremely bad
roads Of the present time, the farmer.
who is the producer, is Obliged TO
haul his product to the nearest mar
lIet at such time during the year as
the roads are passsble. This occurs
within two or three months in tho
fan, after harvest. This Slut and
over-supply makes the very lowest
prices OF the year for the producer,
and the consumer in the cities and
centres Of population is Obliged 10
pay the very highest prices during
the months or ~ bad weather. Good
roads Will eliminate such conditions
SO that the farmer can haul his pro-
duct 20 tho market at any time dur
ing the year, whenever the demand
calls for It, and the consumer can
buy whenever the goods are wanted.
Thus the producer will be able to
secure better price for his product
and the consumer pays lower prices
for his necessities.
For years the United States and
State governments have been appro-
priating money for waterways, steam
railroads and other means Of COM
munication, all OF which are good.
but these questions become insignif-
cant of what good roads will bring
TO the inhabitants Of this country.
Everybody should be interested in
this question, and should urge Fed
oral, State and county aid for inn
provements which At this time are all
vital to the welfare Of our country"
The subject is being agitated
everywhere.