Evening journal., 1910-05-19
First Invasion by Aufomo-
biIisfs TO MiddIefoWn
Shows Good and Bad
Highways, and Vast Ne
cessify for Improve
menfS


To view some Of the good and bad high
ways OF New Castle county. Frank Alder
man, local manager OF the Toss Hughes
Company which sells the Pierce Arrow
automobile took an automobile party
to Middletown and return yesterday. Il
was intended that the members OF the
Levy Court should go on the road inspec-
tion trip. but II seems that the Levy
Courtmen several days before had made
an engagement TO go to Philadelphia yes
terday TO inspect road roller and they
were unable to take the jaunt to Middle
town and return as guests OF Mr.. Alder
man. Certainly no better time could have
been chosen for the good roads path
finders" than yesterday, following the
rain that fell during Tuesday night and
early yesterday morning. for II revealed
the durable qualities OF tho macadam
roads and the miserable condition OF un-
improved portions of the State road at
their worst.
It was regetted that the Levy Courtmen
could not have taken the trip, but doubt
less they will be invited some later day
when it is likely that an army OF automo-
bnes will invade the lower part OF the
county trying TO stir up good roads senti-
ment as a boon to all. Those in the party
included T. Allen Hilles. trustee OF the
New Castle County workhouse and mem-
her OF the State Revenue Commission;
Colonel George W. Sparks, president OF
the Street and Sewer Commission; Charles
c. Kurtz. president OF the Whining
ton Trust Company; l.. Scott Townsend,
treasurer Of the Security Trust and safe
Deposit Company; Mr.. Alderman, Edward
G. Broomneld. John r. Hyatt, William F,
Metten, w. J. MoVey and c. 3. Hallam
tho latter four being representatives OF
newspapers. Mr.. Hiles, who Is one OF the
most enthusiastic advocates OF rational
automobiling In Delaware. drove his owr
fine Pierce-Arrow car on tho trip and
placed II at the disposal OF the inspection
party. and the other car. seven passen'
ger big Six" Pierce-Arrow was driver
by Mr.. Broomneld. Despite the treacheroui
and yielding surface Of the muddy anS
sandy roads tho two cars went through
without the least mechanical or tire trou
bic. but they had TO do hard plugging
over hills and rough roads. other car
were read for the Levy Courtmen to con
vey them on the trip.
Three salient things suggested them
selves on the trip yesterday. one was tina
the macadam roads laid by tho count
arc in good condition but there is a neces
sity for attention at anNtimes TO thei
maintenance so they will not be allowe
to become worn or rutty In spots. Anothe
was that a vast Improvement could /
4 made In the present unimproved roads b
4 an aggressive campaign Of reshapln
;. them to facilitate drainage, and then usir
o drags over them systematically 20 prevei
3 them becoming too rough or scanned
o water breaks that now abound I'm mai
places.
G StiI another essential that stood out WI
the necessity for a project looking 4
ward a definite chain or system OF road
: such as the completion of the State roa'
, the main artery OF highways, the entiI
length Of the county. The Levy Coul
cannot be held responsible for this, as IN
roads to be improved we're designated
tho good roads loan oiu" by the Legi'
lature, taking the power Of laying out
systematic project Of new highways froi
the Levy Court Naturally most Of IN
assemblymen look after the interests q
. themselves and influential friends in dess
, mating roads TO be built.
y Details Of the Trip.
Y Going over Market street bridge III
automobiles encountered some bad place
in the causeway. and then passed on
the macadam road which extends
2 Hare's Corner From Hare's Corner dow
20 Summit Bridge the road is bad. Part {
Il, however Is to be redeemed as Oh
Levy Court at its next meeting will ope
bids for the construction OF a macadai
road from Hare's Corner past state roa
station 10 rybout's Corner
At present this stretch of road is con
posed OF sand and mud several inch'
thick, especially after a rain. It is uneve
\ too. with hilly places and bumps thu
, make It difficult for teams or autom
bIles to get through It. Il is unfortuna
that while the stretch from Hare's Co
n ner is being built the remainder
the state Road to Summit Bridge at leas
cannot be macadamized. too, but It is n
provided for I'm the good roads loan la'
Since there Is no definite project TO r
build the state road az the present tim
II was pointed ont yesterday that there
stil a possibility OF a great improveme
being made in Il az very little cost. ;
the use Of King split-log drags it Is b
Iieved that the portions of the road tn
are not macadamized could be made 4
more usable and much more satlsfacto
than at present.
The split log drag has come into 4
highest favor with road builders all ov
the country as an economical method
reclaiming roads. II is cheap, too. as Z
best split log drag can be constructed at
cost not greater than six dollars.
drags can be drawn by one or two hors'
They fin in the uneven places along I
road and II attention is given to shapi
the roads for drainage purposes the libe'
use Of the log drag will keep the roa
in good condition at least eight months
d, the year. During the winter months
sh drag is no good for road improving p
poses, but from spring 10 the beginning
OF winter the drags can keep the roads
IN pretty good shape so far as natural
- or clay bed roads go.
vi The best time TO use .he split log d
IA. is after a rain storm. but none Of
~ drags was noticed on the trip to Mid
20 town yesterday. There was evidence
every side Of where they could be vi
- County Engineer James Wilson has