Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-10-14
GOOD ROADS.


4 keen note in the guhernatorial clam
or was struck when the Barre Tinee
noted that Road Commissioner Gates
was not ~ the stat. fair but elsewhere
.h-ut the Stste making good roads.
Whether or not this was the true cx-
PLANTATION. tire Herald is bound TO admit
that Mr. Gates will make more friends
and win more votes attending 10 HE
State business than he will by soliciting
political support NJ tho States expense
IN fact. any man will make moro true
and valuable friends bv doing to the
best OF his ehi',ty what he is paid for
than he will ly daputizing his work and
trourng the state as candidate
Some criticism OF the permanent roadi
which Mr. Gates has supervised is ma
.ural enough at this time As the Her
aid understands IT. Mr. Gates is not
trained scientific road-builder. but -ath-
er a natural product Of the soil, horn and
living on a farm. who has simply added
to his native instincts and experience
what knowledge may be acquired by at
tending roadmakers' conventions and
studying the theories and practices OF
adjoining States.
whether or not MI Gates makes real
~ permanent roads will perhaps not 49,
pear until they have had a chance "a
wear" Meanwhile. the farmers. OIL
WAYS the first and most valuably aided
by good roads, seem to be pleased with
the result. OF still more Importance.
however. IS tho fact that many OF them
are being won thereby to a consideration
OF state control OF the trunk lines OF the
State final solution which the Herald
believes ia rot only desirable but inn
, mnent
Once let the taxpayers OF tho state
become satisfied that the highway offic-
ials. county and state, are spending the
peoples money 10 good and permanent
advantage. and the proposal to turn over
70 the State the control of all the main
! hishwaya will be received with enthus-
| iasm,
Some people seem TO fear that the very
excellent gravel roads of Vernont-vhat
there are Of them would be sacrificed
! In adopting the trunk-llne proposition.
Not At ell. No rosd-builder would think
OF tearing up a well-srsded, naturally
rolled plece OF gravel, which WAS water
| proof. we'll Joined and level IN the HI
tie town of Mendon. for Instance very
large sum Of money, considering tho size
OF the town. has BEEN expended or a
| high-graGed, heavy ana serVlceacie roao.
With little intelligent ''mending' this
| read will be of enormous service as a
link IN the trunk-line between Rutland
and Woodstock, II is too good to be
torn up.
| At tho same time. II the proposal OF
State trunk lines were adopted the ac-
QUESTION OF a number OF steam road roll
ers would naturally be the first step. No
road can be actually permanent unless
put In evenly and settled under pressure.
THIS may be moasurably done ny tho
ordinary road machine, aided by tho
pressure OF casual traffic. but final econ
omy will he better reached by solid
| foundation Of gravel or cruehed stone.
put in "fcr keeps" by a steam road roll
cr.
whether It IL done by q bond issue or
term by term with a generous appropri-
alton, aided by a special permanent
road" tax 10 inmaterial. IT Is certain
to como and the present discussion will
gtve II = desired boost IN the cons.dera.
ZION OF the taxpayers