Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-09
WHEN SHALL WE HAVE GOOD


ferent parts OF the state to help do
Velop the Green Mountain region as "a
noble pleasure ground" we are daily
reminded by touring parties that good
trunk lines of roadway are the first
requisite. II we are to appeal to sum-
NOR visitors who come 70 our s,ato
IN the automobile. Those who have
studied the tourist situation the pros-
cnt year In Vermont and elsewhere
do not need to be told tho motor orr
has become prominent factor in
tourist travel. While the railroads
IRE having a large patronage the
travel by auto has Increased TO an
enormous degree, and the excellent
feature Of this movement is that II
takes visitors to beauty spots all over
the state to the profit of hotels and
boarding houses along lines Of travel
long neglected, and thus furnishes an
Increased market for our farmers In
the respective communities
The need of trunk lines Of improved
highway, which would he used b.. all
classes as well as by motor cars. IS
consistently emphasized by the Enos-
burgh STANDARD, which has long stood
for tho Immediate provision 81 good
highways, Just as railroads and other
i,,,,y
cured. The STANDARD say. In this con-
ncction:
1T Is only Just to say that state
Highway Commissioner Gates IS in no
sense responsible, for this lack Of
trunk line highwnvs. for he IS doing
ali that It Is possible 20 10 under the
present system. and during tho time
that lie has been in charge Of tho
state highway department material
improvement in the roads Of Vermont
has been made.
1T Is I've system that is wrong as
the STANDARD has repeatedly pointed
out. The present system. with its
hap-hazard policy Of a little now and
a little more later. gives absolutely
no promise of any highway system
that the present generation may en-
JOY or start the tide of summer tour
its travel radiating through the
state.
"All through the state # Maesachu-
cots. where through lines OF perma-
mont highways have been built. auto
parties by the hundreds pass daty,
leaving golden stream Of p-ont to
the summer hotels and consequently
farming communities
ut only waits system Of trunk
line highways. north ard south ana
east and west. for this stream of sum
mer tourists to spread throughout the
lcngh and breadth Of our state.
We lave already made an excellent
y, shining IN the mattcr OF improved
roadr TO- the purpose % attrac citing
summer tourists as well rs nccomno-
dating our own Travellers
Eccretray II state Guy W Ea.cy
announces that :, least $4,000 vii
come from auto license fccs aud pos
s'hiy a greater amount 81 this money
will be apportioncd 20 'le counties -
i.
the matter NJ. It was the Intention
OF tho Trainers Of the &c, that the
money thus received from the auto
mobile owners # the state should so
toward the propc a.ntcnnnce OF
good highways. in this way tho au-
who paid the money into
tho treasury In the first place In
amounts proportionately as great as
the horse power of their car, viii he
benefited as we'll as the horse owners
who pay no license.
The proceeds OF the auto tax are
also being spent or the main high
ways In tho counties in which the
same Is secured. and there Is GER
tain amount of Justice In this which
will appeal to the taxed owners OF
as well az to tho public
In general.
The fact remains. however. that not
enough money Is raised in this way
TO put in thorough repair such pieces
Of abo,ntrahlc highway ne that be-
-,"con vergennes and New Haven, ana
which. being trunk limo that would
DO largely used by motor cars. II II
were in good condition, should be put
In shape under state auspices.
Public sentiment should be aroused
10 n point where the next Legislature
will be constrained to pass measures
providing Cor tho adoption Of some
approved and modern plan OF trunk
line road Improvement. A" this talk
Is excellent, but II with be futile UNI
less It can materinlize IN the prompt
adoption of an up-to date road policy
on the part of the state Of Vermont.
NEW pv3IrC tTIOSS.