The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-06-13
TRY THE ROAD DRAG

she United States Department OF
Agriculture treats OF the spht-log
drag, an implement which numerous
experiments have eonclusively shown
to be the greatest possible boon to
keep earth roads smooth and pass
able. Because of its simplicity, It's
efficiency and it's cheapness, bosh IN
construction and operation, it il
destined to come more and more JIM
to general use. With the drag prop
erly built, and its use well under
stood, the maintenance OF earth
roads becomes a simple and inexpen-
slve matter.
It would, therefore, seem the part
OF wisdom on the part of every
county, which cannot yet pro-
vide itself with stone roads, to
have constructed enough Of these
drags to do effective work in every
magisterial district. II We mistake
not, citizen of Fredericksburg, Mr..
T. III. Harris, has for some time
urged upon the supervisors OF Spot
sylvania the advlsabllity OF supply
ing those in charge of the roads
with these drags, and we now add
our voice to his in asking that they
be furnished and given a thorough
trial. As TO the expense OF making
these drags that is insignificant, aud
the expense OF using them is best ex-
planned by some figures furnished by
+. p. Sanborn and r. II. Ashton,
general manager OF she Chicago and
Northwestern Railroad, which have
revealed the wonders of this simple
device. Mr.. Sanborn said "the least
expense per mile per annum Tor split
log dragging was 81 80, the great
est a little over Sc. and the average
expense per mile for FIVE and one
hall miles, little over 80. / have
lived along this road all my life, and
never in forty years have | seen it
freer from mud and dust, despite the
fact that during the season We have
experienced the extremes OF weather
conditions"
The testimony of Mr.. Ashton Is
equally strong. Learning that a
township in Iowa had been making
an investigation of the splis-log drag,
and had been experimenting with it
for year on twenty-eight miles Of
highway, he sent an agent to secure
Information. 1t was reported that
although the town board had paid
the cost of making tHe drags and Of
hiring men TO operate them, the to-
tai expense for one year averaged
but $240 a mile, and the roads
were reported to have been ''like q
race-traek' the greater portion Of
the year.
On the other hand figures show
that in six counties in Kansas in
1906 the cost OF maintaining ordi-
nary earth roads, without the aid of
the split-log drag, averaged $3.50
per mile. These figures were taken
from the official records OF the cuun-
ties In question.
We believe that the Spotsylvania
supervisors are men who have the in
terests OF she county at heart and
who desire to see her push forward
In the march OF progress, and be-
heving thus, We are confident that
with the inauguration July LIST Of
the new system OF road working the
board will take immediate steps to
supply the road superintendent OF
superintendents with number of
these road drags, so that they may
be given a chanc. to demonstrate
their efficiency as good road devices.
As said above, they are inexpensive
and from all accounts much good
results from their use; therefore, we
earnestly urge upon she board the
desirability OF giving them a trial.
We shall watch with much interest
to see Il the supervisors are suffici-
emily interested in road improve
ment to heed our suggestion. Until
she contrary appears we shall believe
that they are.
The seating OF twenty-four con