The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-03-26
FOR BETTER HIGHWAYS.
Congressman, Patterson Interesting
Himself in This Important Matter.


The Bamberg Herald, Bamberg,
IS. C.-My Dear Sir: The following
is COPY of letter which have re.
Gently written to the supervisor OF
your county in regard to the con-
struction and Improvement OF the
public roads and explains itself:
81 have introduced>in the house bill
providing for the establishment in the
department of agriculture of bureau
to be known as the bureau Of public
highways, and to provide for national
aid in the improvement Of the public
roads.
"1 expect to make fight at this session
for the passage of the bill, feeling, as l
do, the great benefit to be derived
therefrom, and especially ythe farmers
and others living in the rural districts,
and remote from trade centers and
places of market for their produce, to
say nothing of the great reduction in
the expense of placing their produce on
the market, accessibility to schools,
churches, etc., etc.
, sThere is now established In the de-
partment of agriculture an office known
as the Office of public roads, but very
small appropriation is made for the
maintenance of this Office. and with the
very limited means at their command,
no financial aid can be given in con-
strdction of roads. This Office Of public
roads, however, does furnish expert
advice in the construction of roads, and
upon application to the director OF the
office of public roads, department of
agriculture, Washington, D. c., they
will undertake to supply supervising
engineer, and, when practicable, the
necessary machinery. In addition to
this, tests are made in the laboratory to
determine among the materials avail
able the one best suited to particular
road. The local authorities, however,
have to furnish all material, common
labor, teams and fuel.
81 am, therefore, inclosing herewith
blank form for application and cir
cular of instructions which explains the
methods by which this Office co-operates
with communities in the construction Of
obiect-lesson roads.
eff you have any funds that are avail
able for this kind of work, and are pre-
pared to comply with the requirements
of the department, would suggest that
YOU take the matter up with them, and
I will be pleased to render you any as
sistance in my power.
/ believe that good results could
be obtained if you would agitate this
matter in your columns and arouse
the people to an interest in good
roads. I am very much interested
along this line and hope to get some
good results from my work.
I am endeavoring to get an expert
from the office of public roads to go
to nv district and make addresses on
the construction and improvement of
the public roads and to demonstrate
the work of oad-building.
Iwould be glad if you would call
on the supervisor and see the forms
/ have sent him and give me such
suggestions as you may think of ad-
vantage in bringing this matter to
the attention of the people and arous-
ing them to the necessity and impor-
tance of acton.
If the people will take an interest
and back me up in this work, l will
be able to accomplish a much needed
work and make a start for ROAD.
building and improvement which will
result in much good to the country
and give an impetus to progress and
prosperity. Very truly yours,
10. PATTERSON.