Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-02-20

only IrcUlOh Vi iio
be hauled over our impossible ROADS.
It may be asked why all the old ana
progressive countries Of Europe give
so much attention to the building ana
maintaining OF such fine roads 10
any visitor who givesNthe least atten-
ton to the subject, the answer is east
ly found. 1t is because centuries OF
experience has taught them that gooa
roads bring more financial and ethical
benefits to their people. beautl'y tneir
homes, make life in the country Joy
and delight and, 10 word, give BACK
more ali around benefcent compensa-
ton to them than all other work which
their respective governments can per-
form. .,3
Ask the business man along tne
beautiful Riviera, or those in northern
italy to what one thing they are In
debted for their prosperous trade ana
its continuance, and they promptly
respond '.good roads" You may sug-
gest that their beautiful scenery
should have the credit. They will re-
spond, mo, no; the scenery could not
be enjoyed without good roads nor
could the vast army Of visitors be kept
here did we not have good roads"
Ask the thrifty, prosperous Swiss
people to what they are most indebted
for the fifty millions that tourists an
nually bring to their little domain o.
mountains and lakes and they will
Give the same answer. Ask the farm
era and mechanics Of the towns and
cities of these countries, for they all
share in the prosperity COnferred)
what part OF the governmental work
gives them the most returns for their
| taxes, and the same answer Will DC
given. The people Of Europe diner
amongst themselves on many domes-
tic questions, but in the desirability
Of building, identifying and maintain, ,
ing good roads they are . unit ana
they give their roads that constant
vipilant care that keeps them always
in perfect condition. Other Pupne
matters may be neglected-out the
roadways never!
In discussing this subject naV'
been met with the excuse that we are
a young nation and that when we go
old like Europe, We will have good
roads, too. As q matter Of iact' tn'
care Of roads in Europe is old--anc
vet ever new. This care has been 60
ing on for centuries, but the work OF
the roads there is carried on With NOR
thoroughness and science today than thai
ever before. Had the people stoPPe'
work for, say ten years after NaPole
on's time, the magnificent highway
which that great soldier built wou i
have been destroyed axactly as som
Of the fine roads that were sPasmodl
0 cally built by our governments bot
n state and national, which, having n
provision made for their maintenance
4 were in a few years utterly destroyed
Hide it as we may, the facts az
!. that the Europeans are alive to th
8 advantages OF good roads and we al
is not, and we will never have good roaC
.e unless we make beginning and
- to work with the same intelligence
1t thdroughness and yigor with whiC
D we have accomplished our success
m in other great undertakings.
II 1t may be asked II we have the san
re Inducements 10 undertake and carr
A. out the work that Europe has. Yes
Id and thousand times more Undue
as meuts We have free citizen pop
ar lation-highest in the scale of intel
IN geuce. We have a country vast in !
dominion aud which the Creator bic
"a sed with more natural gifts than al
t. o,hsr country upon this revolvil
ID earth. We have country whose VI
Il. leys, dells and glens, mountains al
n. plains are incomparably rich in the
n fertility and indescribAbIy grand
o. their scenic beauty awaiting the 60
nj struction Of good rosds 70 open the
l.lio the fall epjoymsot Of our own p.
II BE. a VEN As 70 he people o.
:. tlAnds, $40. !,
al Ire aIiroadi d our country I,
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