Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-12-02

It is willing enough TO concede that tnert
are men in Vermont who are overseeing
some part of this highway construction
who not only know q good road when
they see it but undoubtedly know how
good road should be built, that IS 70 say
know in a general way how good road
should be built. The qualification is
Just one, because Yermonters employ
precious few trained and experienced
engineers to make country roads. And
yet the best is always the cheapest, either
in materials or service. The Messenger
win admit that there is in some instances
a high standard OF bodybuilding intel
ligence overseeing part of this high
way construction. bat it does not fear
much contradiction when il says that
only a comparatively small part OF the
oversight can rank very high in this re-
spect 1t is not in the nature OF things
that this should be so, under our present
system, and we are but deluding our
selves, or trying to, when we blink at
the present law and the present system
and pretend that we are doing the i'm
possible under them.
Hence the Messenger does not know
just what to make OF the editorial OF its
esteemed friend, the st. bloomsbury Gale
DOMAIN, in which it SAYS
"a comparison OF the results here with
those Of Massachusetts, reveals much bet
ter results in Vermont than in Massa-
chusetts. In Massachusetts, the sum of
100000 was spent by the state for
highway purposes. OF this sum 1900, 600
was used for the repair of permanent
roads already constructed by the state and
left 5000. 600 for the construction OF new
roads. With this latter sum about 500
miles OF road we're built. In Vermont
about s226,000 was used for the construc-
ton Of state road work and approximate
~ 1000 miles of highway were construct
ed or repaired. This proves that Yer
mont is wisely expanding its money on
the highways. II the state can continue
improving 1000 miles OF highway each
year It will not be long before every high
way OF any Importance will be inn
proved
Surely the contemporary does not mean
exactly what it says 1t cannot be posi-
BILE, according 20 any Law OF economics
hat The Messenger knows anything
about, that s600,0 900 in Massachusetts
will not build so much good road as
f226,O0O in mountainous Vermont IL
iannot be possible that not only is this 80
is general proposition but the mileage
$ as to in favor OF Vermontis accom-
Ilishment on less money!
Seriously, Brother Caledonian, do you
relieve that actually 1000 miles OF first
lass highway are the result OF the expen-
Iiture OF this S226, 900 in the past year ?
The Messenger believes in making the
'est OF our situation, In putting the
night side out when We can. But II we
re ever to reform this highway law and
he practice under it. we must not at
empt to gloss over the present condition /
4 affairs When the people thoroughly I
rouse to understand what they actually I
re getting for qheir money in the shape
I highways, and when they are no long 4
deluded by the idea that they are get I
ing the best there is, getting better than +
heir neighbors and actually getting 4
for nothing at that-we may 4
ave hope OF a better business policy in I
bis respect being adopted by the state.
st. Adams Messenger.