The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-12-26
FRENCH VS.. AMERICAN ROADS.


General r. p. Skinner of Marseiiles,
France. gives some highly Important
information regarding the public roads
OF that country. AS Is generaiy
known. France has the best and most
complete road system in the world
and its splendid public highways I'LL
with envy and admiration all foreign,
ers. particularly those from the United
States, where the roads in general are
about the worst in any country profess
ing 10 be civilized
The superiority of the French road
system is stated by Consul-General
Skinner TO be due to the fact that the
construction and maintenance of the
principal roads is carried on under
the supervision of a corps Of experts
in road construction, who fud in their
profession opportunities for advance,
ment and distinction such as could
not and does not exist under local
road administration, French roads
are good. not because OF any superior
itv OF road making material, nor be
cause the French people possess any
special talent for road building, but
because the initiative in matters per
tanning 10 the public highways is
taken by highly trained engineers and
/ administrators. under the direction OF
the national government,
All the principal French highways,
or national routes" OF which there
are 1856 miles, are constructed and
maintained by the national govern
ment which has expended on them
over sso0,o0o.e00 The superiority o.
these roads over those constructed OF
maintained by the local authorities IS
very marked. but even the local roads
are kept in good condition, 50 that
the standard French road is one upon
which in 3 rolling country draft
horse hauling load OF $500 pounds
is expected to travel about % miles
per day. This fact alone viii serve &C
indicate the difference between the
roads in France and those of the
United states: where the load hauled
By one horse over the average leyeI
country road is only 1900 pounds
and on roads with per cent grades
only l,e0o pounds.
The basis of the French highway
system Is the school OF bridges and
roads. one Of the finest technical col
leges in the world, whore engineers
are trained for positions in the public
roa5 administrative system. These
engineers cooperate with the loca'
! authorities and the result is
. that there Is available fo'
the work al road construction Al
!. effective body OF competent admins
, traitors, whose influence extends
throughout the whole country
i 4 beginning has been made In q
! small way In this country by tbs
/ bureau Of public roads Of the United
. states department OF agriculture. tc
Introduce the methods by which the
y French road system mas been SO at
5 isfactorny developed. The organiza
: ton q this bureau and funds al rs
. DISPOSAL. are. however. wholly made
{ luate, What Is needed is . nationa
Z highways commission which shall
I have general powers 70 promote ths
: construction and Improvement 81 n,
public roads, ana for which liberal az
propriatons should be made b. con
sress The national government,
: cooperation ii this master All crest
Is stimulate action ny ne variou.
state. county and township auteoTl Ezses
and VIII result II TIE 2hlishEs1t 3
. complete system q. properly co-
svructsd roads. Tivs2taE those
Eraace III All sections az he c9lRt-J