The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-04-03
= Good Roads. Y
@aL~
A Good Road Factor.

A striking article in monthly
magazine suggests the appearance OF
a new factor in the movement for bet
ter highways In the country. lt de-
scribes the growth of interest in the
automobile on the part Of people who
live in small towns or in the adja-
cent territory. It indicates a variety
OF ways in which machines OF this
character are now being used outside
OF the cities and gives Photographic
illustrations in support OF its conten-
ton.
The attitude Of the rural popula-
tlon toward the automobile Is chang
ing. At first there was some occa-
sion for antagonism. Tourists from
the cities with their rapidly moving
conyeyances frightened horses along
the highways, caused many runaways
and often hurried on their journey
without Offering assistance TO the it,
jured or paying for damage due TO
their carelessness. They left in their
wake great clouds Of dust and often
made themselves obnoxious By their
reckless driving. On some frequently
travelled roads they aroused the in
dignation OF the farmers to the high
est pitch.
The sentiment now is changing.
This is partly due TO the growth OF
the industry with more experienced
Chauffeurs in charge Of the machines
and with more recognition Of the
rights Of others by those who use the
highways for pleasure rides. But IL
is also due to the increasing sales TO
the farmers and townspeOple, who are
finding the automobile an economical
and useful vehicle in rural life. In
the article mentioned the farmers
wife is shown taking produce to mar
ket In a runabOut. The farmer him.
self carries his. wheat to the mill in
the same sort OF conveyance The
real estate agent is able to show his
prospective customer over farms al a
distance from town much more easily
and quickly than with a horse and
buggy. The ranchman finds an auto
mobile a time saving and distance
eliminating factor I'm his work. The
physician has his territory enlarged
and his professional duties lightened
by the same agency. The necessary
trip TO town, once tireSOme and de-
ferrcd as long as possible, is now
made quickly i'm rain or shine.
This change i'm feeling resultant
from the growing use Of the autOmO-
bile is bound to have it's effect In the
direction Of better roads. When the
first agitation started for highways
along which owners Of touring cars
might take pleasure runs across the
country many thought, "If the fav-
Ored few want good roads let them
pay for them" Now there is a local
interest which is growing rapidly. III
there are TO be connecting highways
between cities they must be built by
local taxation and not by Government
appropriation. The reasons Of prac-
tical value to the farmer to encourage
the construction of roads have been
many. In some places they have been
operative. In others the increased
taxation demanded has proved the
rawback, but ii is true that the bril-
die path and the ford and ferry have
given place to the highway with its
bridges as the machinery of travel
has developed. 1t may be possible
that the perfection of the automobile
and its increasing use in the country
will have a practical result in a
marked strengthening of the good
roads ovement.-Chicago Tribune.