The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-01-02
GOOD ROADS IMPORTANT.
Work Thus Far Done Has Resulted in
An Increase In Value Of Farms.

Earnest III their desire to secure
good roads for the State along the
lines laid down by the Maryland
State Survey, the people of Mary
land have been provided with
numerous examples of road con-
struCtion and the benefits result
ing therefrom i'll the reports furn-
lshed by the Survey of work done
elsewhere in this country J
abroad. In line with the authority
given them by the law of 1903,
the officers of the State Survey
have been making extensive in
vestlgations. Their reports are
conclusive evidence of the great
Importance of adequate highways.
/ Massachusetts, Connecticut,
New Jersey and New York have
already awakened to the import
ance of road construction. New
York only last year provided for a
system OF public roads that will
cost, when completed $50, 900, 900,
and this amount has already been
appropriated by the Legislature of
that State.
The last Federal census, taken
IN 1900, shows that there has been
an increase in the farm values of
the United States amounting to
Fl per cent, and that only four
States of the Union show a depre-
citation in farm values. Massachu-
sets shows the largest percentage
OF increase in these values, and
this increase has developed since
the road Improvements there were
begun. Prior to that time farm
values in that State were also de-
preciating.
Great work along the line OF
road construction is being done in
North Carolina and Georgia,
where convict labor is used to ad-
vantage. Governor Swanson of
Virginia, in preparing his message
to the General Assembly of that
State, is giving particular atten-
ton to the matter of building good
roads. 1t is understood that he
will recommend that the General
Assembly amend the present road
laws so that the State will have to
make an appropriation to each
county for road Improvements, IL
work to be done by the State
counties jointly, as in Maryland.
Governor Swanson will doubtless
propose the use of convict labor
for this purpose.
Everywhere in Europe great at
tention is given to the perfecting
OF a complete system of smooth
public highways of easy grades.
Even the poorest country or pro-
vince considers the building of the
best possible roads to be, in the
long run, the most economical
policy. The work is done under
engineering supervision and in ac-
cordance with the most carefully
drawn specifications. The sys-
TENS and methods of road con-
struction in every country l visit
ed abroad" said DR.. William
Bullock Clark, head of the State
Survey, who went to Europe to
study the methods of bodybuilding
there, would be a revelation to
anyone who is not familiar with
the history of State road construc-
ton"
Generally speaking, the high
ways of Maryland are in bad
shape. This condition should be
attributed in part to the defective
ways of construction and a lack of
knowledge as to the proper means
of administering the appropria-
tons for that work and for repairs.
In many cases also The evils have
arisen from the relatively small
amount of money which has been
devoted, or could properly have
been given, by the counties for Use
on the highways.
The large majority OF the peo-
pie, including the county officers
in charge of the roads, do not
travel far from home and do not
know what a frst-c road reallv