Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-08
THE MAcAnAM ROAD.

The roads which first bore the name of Macadam were simply built so deep with heavy and light stone. and so sol- idly that they would stand the wear and tear of travel for a century-no heavy trucking or automobile speed ing could knock them out.
 The macadam of today Is a goat of another color. It is just as near like the original macadam as the artificial alligator skin boots and valises, etc., are like the real thing. The alliga- tor would not be able to recognize them as the hides of his departed tri- bal comrades. And these near-not very near-macadam roads are not heavy enough for 1909 touring cars, which are simply heavy road locomo- tives built to beat the cars, and the road commissioners of the states at tho front in good road building are now looking for new road binders for metal which with a light founda- ton and good drainage will meet the requirements of this high speeding, something no roads were ever subject ed to until this age; and the New ark News says that "Commissioner Gfil1yson of New Jersey believes he AlGD AOnA4 a 4lCM TOdQ SUFFICE WHICH is destined to completely supplant crushed stone. He has been experi- menting ever since he has been in of foe, and he now has eighty-five miles of road built of the new material, with specifications drawn for thirteen more. Some of these roads have been down for than year; have been subjected to summers heat, to winters cold and to all kinds of heavy carting, light riding and automobile speeding. They have stood all these tests well and are net likely to need repairs for several years to come.
 'The new material is crushed stone, with an asphalt binder, the best pro- portion of asphalt being the subject of many experiments and tests of en- durance. The state road law was changed last winter to allow counties to build roads of the new combination with state aid. The cost of such roads Is from $115 to $150 a square yard, as against $1.90 to $250 for the best macadam, and 1t is not only dust less, but durable"
 Commissioner Macdonald of this state says:
 "The large increase in automobile traffic which is so trying on the roads has compelled the adoption of more solid roadways, that is, the foundation must be deeper and the surface laid with better material and so construct ed as to stand the traffic of this new element, the automobile But as a general principle, l have adhered to the nacadam system, which, when properly constructed, is. in my opin- ion, the best yet devised for rural highways. The civilized world has come 10 recognize this fact As to the possibility of changing this meth cd. have been thinking that 1t might be beneficial, and on this point I am not quite convinced, to dress the whole material going into a new road, from the bottom up, with tar It might have the tffect of a better knit ting together of the stone and top dressing. But the idea that oiling the surface would improve the situa- ton Is iuusory. I tried oil on roads in this state before it's present advo- cates knew anything about it, and I found 1t a poor palliative, with no permanent worth. I tried it on the Wallin gford road. for instance. and my experience there and in other sec- tions of the state did not justify me in spending more of the states moneyin the experiment."
 The press is not inclined to hound the commissioner for the ruin wrought by automodilists. The Bridgeport Standard, commenting upon MT. Mac Donalfs recent replies to his Ques- tioners, says:
 Commissioner Mcdonald meets all the issues squareIy and lodges none. While there may be an honest difference of opinion as to the facts stated, particularly those with refer once to the comparative value of Con- necticut state roads and those of other states, certainly the commissioner should 5e in position to know best what is right and his categorical an- swers are before the citizens of the state for examination. further criti- cism CT reflhation if any critic feels inclined and able to continue the dis cussfsn. The csmnaissioner makes good sta1emanty. has decided conzic-