Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-07-09
FOR GOOD ROADS.
Rocky Mountain Highwawy Associa-
ton Doinr Splendid Work.


ton Doinr Splendid Work.
Of the nearly half hundred states
comprising this United States, less
than twenty have no highway COM
mission. Colorado is one of the few
states that has not such commits
sion, and at the coming session OF
the state legislature determined ct
fort is to be made to secure the en-
actment of a law which will give
state aid to the work OF securing good
highways for Colorado.
This movement is now being fas-
tered by the Rocky Mountain High
| way Association, an organization
formed during the passed summer,
| and with headquarters in Denver. An
outline for a bill to create a state
highway commission in Colorado has
i been prepared and copies have been
sent to all interested in good roads:
Suggestions are now being received
as to how to improve this measure,
the object being to secure a bill that
will be SO near perfect that it will
meet, as far as possible, the ideas OF
all and thus be assured of passage.
The bill as proposed does not con-
template the expenditures of large
sums of money in the work of max
ing good roads. Instead it is point
| ed out that at the present time Colo
RADIO is already spending large sums
on her highways. but the idea of the
promoters OF the good roads cause
is to so systematic these expendi-
lures as to bring about a more uni
form system OF good roads i'll this
state.
There is an impression that good
roads means 4 large expenditure of
money. This. those who know say,
is a great mistake, and it is pointed
out by them that the most cosly
roads in .manv portions of the country
arc those which have proved of
least value. Colorado has the best
foundation and material for the max
ing of good roads of any state in the
union. In the hills here there is
gravel in abundance and this it has
been found makes the best covering
for a road. In speaking of road max
ing in Colorado. a Denver man who
has spent much time in studying the
= subject recently stated that two
1 birds OF the trouble now experienced
on the highways in the state could
be overcome ii more attention waws
paid to drainage. Have your ground
lcvclcd off properly with room for
drainage on either side. and you have
done away witwh much of the trou-
bic you are now having. The road
like your house needs roof to shed
the water. Cover your road with
~ravel, and then properly drain it
and you have your work about done.
Next and foremost, let each man
stand in the middle of the road in
and make each person that comes
along drive in the middle of the road.
This will pack your gravel and soon
you will have a good road. The
great trouble with us all today is the
tendency to drive to the side when
ever We como to stretch of road
that has just been repaired. This one
trait alone tends to kill many mile
of what would otherwise be good
roads"
Through the efforts OF the Rocky
Mountain Highway Association the
cause of good roads has been given
much impetus in the last few months.
The press of the state has been ap-
pcalcd to. and in every case the
newspapers are aiding in this work.
Appeal was also made to the author
ities of the State Agricultural College
at Fort Collins to aid in the cam
paign. This appeal was promptly
met and during the last summer the
question of good roads was discussed
at farmers institutes held throughout
the state. During the wincr he good
roads question is also being discuss
cd at the short courses being held in
many counties.
The Patrons of Husbandry, other
wise known as the Grange is also
most influential in their support OF
this work. Commercial bodies every
where. particularly those of the large
| cities and towns. such as Colorado
Springs, Pueblo. Trinidad, Longmont.
Fort Collins and Greeley have taken
up this work. The question is one
which should interest all 1t means
| increased values for Colorado lands.
and a greater advertising than the
state has ever had before by reason
OF the increased number of tourists
who will visit this state for the pur-
pose OF touring the good roads OF
the state.
Pamphlets issued by the Rocky
Mountain Highway Association can
be had by addressing Mr.. c. A. John
| son, vicc-prcsidcnt, 1920 Fifteenth
street These will be sent free OF
chlrgc to all interested in the ques-
| ton OF good roads. The suggestion
i. also made that every one interest
| cd ir this movement write his repre-
sentative or senator acquainting him
OF that iact and urging his support
OF the gool roads bill when it comes
! before the legislature.