The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-16


have done and how they have accom-
plished it. We may in these ways get
some inspiration, and carry back to our
people in different parts Of the state some
ideas that may show them the way TO
obtain what they all want, but don't know
just how to get
II believe that the first and most i'm
portant work for this association is to
continue with renewed energy the CAM
paign of education already begun, in order
to bring all the people of this great state
to realization of the enormous financial
and social benefits that may be derived
from a proper improvement of their pub
lie highways Our rural population does
/ not yet realize fully the stupendous sum
that they now wasting in hauling
their produce and supplies over bad roads.
If it were possible for US to estimate
accurately the total amount wasted I'M
necessarily In this way every year, 1t
would be SO great that 1t would make
even the most ardent advocate of good
roads in this association sit up and take
notice.
IF the possible saving in the cost of
hauling that can be effected on account
of the increased loads that can be hauled
by the same team over the improved
roads could be clearly shown to the peo-
pie all over the state, they would be
astounded. II the social advantages that
may be derived from good roads were
brought clearly to their attention, we
would have no trouble In providing
throughout the state these most important
factors in the advancement of modern
civilization.
1.-The increase in value Of farm lands,
which invariably follows the improve
ment of the roads, is usually named as
one OF their advantages. This, says Pro-
fessor Baker, lis rather the measure of all
the other stages 1t is simply another
,,.,tt x.fff Nd Ia
is more desirable one in which to live.
and such community will Invariably at
tract the best citizens from other COM
munities that are backward with their
road improvements.
1--WE have for a number of years been
witnessing a migration of a large proper
ton of our best citizens from the country
to the towns, with the ayowed purpose Of
sharing In the advantages of better
schools and the other social advantages
afforded by the towns. This condition Of
affairs is to be deplored. While we can
not deny man wishing to move to town
the right to do so, we can make the coun-
try so attractive that he would rather
live there. All patriotic citizens should
join in this movement. which has for Its
purpose the betterment of rural conditions
and rendering more attractive of the
farming industry, upon which the life
and well-being of our country depends.
I'VE should not be discouraged by the
seeming difficulties in the way, and delay
making these road improvements till all
our best citizens, despairing of obtaining
| desirable living conditions in our state,
| move away to Texas, California, or some
| of the more promising western states.
am informed by Mr.. Bullen, the county
| engineer of Montgomery county, that sew
| eral good citizens of Dallas county have
sold good farms in that county and have
bought at higher prices farms located on
| the improved roads. of Montgomery coun-
| ty, but no more fertile than those left
| in Dallas 1 am informed that Dallas
has taken it's cue. has employed a high
| way engineer, and is proceeding very
theoretically to the Improvement of its
| roads.
Il was recently honored with an 1nvi-
| tation to address one of the county good
roads associations. | spoke in the morn
| ing, and in the afternoon of that day l
| had the pleasure of listening to very
able address delivered by Senator Bank
head to the same association. While lie
was setting forth in a very interesting
! and IL structive way the numerous ad-
vantages that the farmers would derive
from improvements of their roads, he
spoke of the increased value of their
lands. He was here interrupted by a
| man who stated that he did not wish
did not wish to pay any more taxes. He
was promptly told by the senator that,
| il he WAS unwilling to pay relatively
| small amount as taxes on the increased
value of his property in return for the
| great saving in the cost of transportation,
increased financial credit. and the even
| more valuable social advantages that
would accrue to him and his neighbors by
reason of the improvements, he was IA
I'll subject to sell out and move on into
a backwoods community where he would
not be troubled by the enlightening IN
huence of civilization.
1T is well known to all that heavier
loads can be hauled by the same team
| over q level road with a hard, smooth
surface than upon a road with steep hills
and soft yielding surface 1t Is also well
! known that passenger and pleasure travel
can be accomplished with greater comfort
| and celebrity over level road with >
hard, smooth surface than over hliy
| and muddy or sandy road. This being q
matter of such common knowledge it is
| strange that We are so backward with the
in, provement of our roads.
s'If we look at the problem of road In
rroyemclt as whole it looks like a job
| too formidable to undertake. II we esti-
| mate the anoi4nt that can be saved IN
| transportation by the Improvement of an
Individual road, it looks like a good bust.
| ness proposition. to say nothing of the
| social advantages.
| at is true that we cannot transform
| every country road into an ideal highway.
but we should still Always keep the ideal