The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1908-05-12
WHOLE NO. 1917.
A Plea For Good Roads.


AT this season OF the year, when
good roads are possible all over our
state. IL may seem folly to make a
plea Tor good roads, but remember to
prepare for war In times of peace"
applies to communities as 1t does to
nations. A forehanded Board of SUI
pervisors and a capable road superin-
tendent can do much preparation now
Tor work later on. Too many of Ia
have become so accustomed to the
bad condition of our roads. that so
long as they are in a passable condi-
tion and we can get over them we do
not stir up to action. No roads can
be improved without expenditure of
money, no money can be expended
without the increase of taxation. so
before this question is settled it will
not DO to talk about good roads. Very
otten In thinking of this problem we
exaSgerate largely the amount of
money 1t would take to improve our
roads. To begin with let your Board
or Supervisors allow a fair sum of
money to your road superintendent to
put in good order some portion OF
your most travelled road, beginning
at the courthouse and going in two
directions. Stop in one direction lust
as soon as one-half your fund is gone.
and expend the balance on the other
portion. 1t will not be long before
you begin to hear comments, and as
soon as they grow loud enough to be
heard on the court green, get your
best man and call a Good Roads
Meeting" and have a practical heart
to heart talk with the taxpayers.
These same men and their families
are the users of the public roads, and
after a full discussion as to cost, ETC..
let these men decide what amount
shall be raised for Good Roads"
thinking men all over the country
to-day are giving this question of
good roads a good deal of thought.
1t is no longer in the argumentative
stage. Everybody admits that moth
ing adds so much to the wealth and
happiness of a community as good
roads. The efforts made by localities
VIII be the lever that shall move the
nation to sense of what 1t owes to
the rural residents, and good roads
VIII be the rule and not the exception.
SASNS hoIAOndt movement lot
good roads is sure to come; it's sure
10 bring into 1t able defenders. men
OF brains who see in it all the broad
craftsmanship the question demands.
and who after careful study will meet
all arguments and in the end win ont.
because they have behind them not
only the right but the might of that
great body of organized labor. the
farmers. Already the Government
begins to feel the necessity of good
roads, and the p. o. Department an
nounces that unless the roads over
which the rural routes run are kept In
condition which permits of easy
travel" routes will be suspended tenn
porarily. The farmer will not permit
this, for he begins to feel the need OF
daily mail passing his door, or with
In easy distance of his home, and he
Will at once put roads in good condi-
ton. The extension of our rural mail
service is going to call for an inn
provement Of our public highways.
and Just as rapidly as our highways
Improve, population is going TO In
crease, our social life is going to in
crease, and when this last demand ia
made, good roads will be an assured
ng.-Richmond Tobacconist.