The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-06-29
IN INSPIRATION FOR GOOD
ROADS.

With only n side TO the argument
it would seem that time would be lost
in urging upon communities and sec
tons the value of good roads, but
despite the s%oundness and the validity
of arguments presented there still re-
mains the need of more good a in
North Carolina, many more Of these,
for while the leaven has been work.
ing there is more and more evidence
that there must be a united effort
throughout the counties Of the State
to secure the best roads.
The failure to nave good roads
everywhere, north and south, is of
course due as a rule, to the lack of
money to build great highways, but
vet there are instances where money
is certainly available where the worst
roads are to be encountered In
such cases as this there is the need
Of stimulating the pride Of the peo-
pie. and of showing the great value
of good roads, a matter which can be
done in any section if enthusiastic
and practical men get behind the
movement.
Between New York and Atlanta,
through Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina and into Georgia, the
recent trip of the automobile scout
oars of the New York Herald n
Atlanta Journal have brought the
matter of the need Of good roads in
the limelight, and the attention of
thousands of people, heretofore indif-
ferent, has been turned to the matter
Of having the best roads in their sec
| ton. In Washington on Wednesday,
party, at a good roads conference,
| said two things that are worth while
remembering in the matter Of the
good roads question. Major John S.
Cohen. Of the Atlanta Journal, n
Mr.. Hamilton Peltz, Of the New York
Herald, both declared that the road
between Richmond and Washington
was not only the worst encountered,
but they ventured the opinion that 1T
is the very worst stretch of highway
in this or any other country. Char
lotte and Mecklenburg county was
accorded by these gentlemen the
honor Of having the best roads ira
versed during the journey of both
routes through the South. These de-
clarations concerning the best roads
and the worst roads furnish much
food for thought. For years the good
roads of Mecklenburg county have
attracted attention and this further
publicity means that other sections Of
North Carolina will increase their eff
forts to have uch roads as Mecklen-
burg has, for what has been done
there can be done in other counties
in North Carolina. Set out against
this is the sorry road conditions pre-
vailing between Washington and
Richmond, a section which it would
appear is we'll able financially to
meet the expense Of good roads, but
which needs enthusiasts and men
with a purpose in view to get behind
a movement for good roads.
In North Carolina the we'll directed
attention upon his work in the MAX
ing of good roads, the man being Mr..
Lenoard Tufts, of P~inehurst. At the
good roads conference in Washington,
Mr.. Peltz. of the New York Herald,
who said that the movement in the
South is overwhelming. referred in
terms of highest praise to Mr.. Tufts,
saying that hundreds of farmers
abandoned their work to join in the
construction Of good roads for the
benefit of the newspaper tourists, and
hat Mr.. Tufts had actually con-
structed miles Of good roads in ad-
vance of their arrival. To show how
greatly MIR. Tufts action is calling at
tention to the need of good roads and
what is thought of the present good