The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-01-18
STATE GEOLOGIST
ON ROAD QUESTION
Is Firm Advocate Of Pla, For Con-
structiOn of Better thorough
fares in the New State

Norman, Okla, Jan. 18-Professor Chas
N. Gould, state geologist and director of
the Oklahoma geological survey. is very
much interested in the matter of good
roads in Oklahoma. In fact he is one of
the pioneers of the movement in the state
and has always been ain active member
Of the good road association. He is per-
haps the first man who ever attempted to
teach the subject Of good roads in school,
A number Of years ago he introduced a
course in the department Of geology at
the state university, dealing with this
subject. When asked. by reporter re-
/. centlss regarding the matter Of good roads
Legislation. he said:
II am extremely anxious to see the
present legislature enact really practi-
cable good roads law, Fortunately we
have the experience of the older states to
guide us. There is no excuse for Okla
homa's making a mistake in this matter.
notice that d number Of bills have been
introduced in the present legislature look
ing toward this end. have not had the
opportunity to examine all of them, but it
seems to me that most Of them have the
right idea in view. namely a state road
commissioner, who should be an experien-
ced practical road builder.
80 far as have been able to judge
the best bill introduced is by Mr.. Putnam
Of Oklahoma CityIf understand his bill
it includes not only good roads commits
sioner but also proposes that the expense
Of building the roads would be divided
between the state, the county, the town
ship and the abuttine property owners.
This is a splendid idea, and one that
should be incorporated in any law that is
enacted. The matter Of the division of
the expense is a minor matter and Rep
resentative Putnam's idea is perhaps as
good as could be adopted. According to
his bill the state pays 35 per cent, the
county 35 per cent, and the township and
property owners is per cent each
my idea would would be thatibe state
should proceed at once to build at least
two model macadamized roads; one from
the Arkansas line to the panhandle Of
Texas; the other from Kansas to the Red
river In building these roads convict la
Dor should be employed as far as possible,
and they should be built Of the very best
material.
These roads having been completed
other macadamized roads should lead out
from them into other parts Of the state.
1t viii of course not be necessary to mac
adamized every road because statistics
show that perhaps 80 per cent of all the
traffic is carried on less than 10 per cent
Of the roads, but if this system were
adopted it would not be long until there
would be two or more good roads across
every country
"The difficulty is that with the excep-
Iion of those persons who have come from
such states as Tennessee or Ohio, where
roads have been built for
many years, not one person in ten in the
state ever saw good road and have no
Of the benefits arising from
hem. Many persons have the idea that
he roads that we're good enough for their
'athers. are good enough for them, and
hesitate at the expense of from 5000 to
5000 dollars a mile, which is necessary
o build a macadamized roads.
Il believe. however, that before the
resent legislature adiourns we will have
law which when promptly executed.
viii give us roads of which Oklahoma
iced not be ashamed