Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-05-05
GOOD ROAD PROBLEM.
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application of this enoromus increase
in the drayage capacity for the same
horse power is the prime cause for
their endorsement of the idea, but
there are many other factors that they
are realizing more and more and we
all are. The farm past which one of
these roads is constructed at once be-
comes of more value. The purchasers
of our farms that come from some
other locality are sure to ask the fol.
lowing questions first. after asking the
regular stock questions regarding
acreage, quality of soil, buildings etc !,
"How far is it from the railroad? Is
it on a good road? Is there a tele-
phone? Does the cream wagon call?
How about the school? Can l get ell
ectric lights if want them? Could ]
have current for a motor to run my
separator. ensilage and root cutter?
Is there R. F. D. of mails?" These
questions are slices from the same
loaf, that of progress, and the most
vital is the "good road" question,
they dwell the longest upon it.
1t is certainly fact that the build
ing of good roads has been obliged to
await the farmers decree. The cam
paign has been a long and vexatious
one, and it has absorbed years of per-
sistent, intelligent publicity to win
over the majority. but it is with US
and is evidently here to stay, because
the agricultural interests begin to
realize what it means to life on the
farm.
The next 10 years will witness a
great change in all roads and road
sides. for the farmer is our most pros
porous citizen and is coming into his
own He sees in the creamery, tele-
phone, rural free delivery of mails,
improved educational facilities, cleo.
trio lighting and the coming benefits
that electrical generation promises
and good roads, that his sons ane
daughters will now be glad to keep the
farm, knowing that it will give then
more than they can get out of life il
any other vocation.
! We believe that Vermont IS partic
, ularly favored in its highway commits
sioner, Charles w. Gates. We hav
q watched his work with great deal o
f interest, and the results that obtain
f to-day throughout the state reveal mir
g wise in the handling of this grea
!. problem. He has shown unusual tao
IN the kindly handling of public opir
q he found on every side against til
q state coming into town and takin
10 the road building out of its hands,
= has been a great task. He has ev
=. IDENTIFY chosen his county supervisor
70 with the same good judgment. "
= have a case in point in our own count
ar of Orleans, Stoddard B. Bates has b
N come good road maker, and is SO. co
10 coded to be all over the state. M
or Gates has given these men chance
at prove themselves. and he has broug
r. out corps of road constructors tn
ts could build roads anywhere, and tn
as are each year becoming more and mo
efficient through service. 1t has
in been, even for the state commissions
at time of "cut and try,," they ha
he been experimenting and learning
ne art.
ns Just now the state commissioner
in turning his tact and diplomacy up
on the power vehicle owners, and is in
he midst of campaign of education 8
ion an attempt at unifcation of intere
of between these citizens and the farm
Dr.: of the countryside. He only asks
reasonable cooperation betwe
ol- these two factions, just wants them
on. go halfway, and we are very sure
yht will be successful and if success
oat it will remove one of the good 70
Tic movements greatest obstacles.
Tho There is one very significant chal
ans in the sentiment toward the pres
of campaign in the construction of 'g
the roads, that bespeaks ultimate 6
,w. cess, and that is the fact that at
not commencement there was disposit
,llv to be very ihcredulous of the res
ose and to ridicule the idea, calling il
waste of money and that it would g
nv. be abandoned, but we have yet
IN meet our first one among the many
70 all classes that we meet weekly,
war are free to give the work so far d.
sct- and the general working of the
re- their hearty approval and support,
oal there is evidently growing pride
w.. the part of many localities to be a
lion to say, as one did to us yesterd
are 1--WE have splendid roads where
.,v state has done the work, and 81
rec. be glad when we have all the roads