Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1910-02-02
The Value of Good Roads.
BIZ GEORGE c. pE1HL

The Value OF Good Roads.
By GEORGE C. DErHL.
Within the next few years the ques-
ton Of good roads will he one OF, Il
not the leading, commercial issue OF
the day, not excepting the tarit. The
United States is far behind Enropefh
this character of internal improve
ment, although e1celling in most otI
ers. The causes may be stated gen
orally as follows, Imperfect State
laws; inefficient and improper admin
istration and management Of roads,.
ignorance on the par OF. local road
builders of the principles and meth
DDS of road construction ignorance
of the qualities essential in road
building materials and lack of facili-
ties for ascertaining such qualities;
lack Of SUFFICIENT research and expert
mental work to devise changes or im-
provements in road materials or exist
ing methods of construction sufficient
10 meet modern conditions, reduce
cost OF increase efficiency.
The farmers and motorists, among
many others, receive direct benefits
from the construction of good roads;
and although everyone practically re-
ceives direct or indirect benefits, the
most active agencies to secure good
roads must be the farmers and motor
lists. It will be but a few years be-
fore We will stop using the terms
farmers and motorists, and say,
rather, farmers and tourists; as with
a properly developed system of good
roads the farmer will find 1t more
economical to market his produce
with motor vehicles.
The Federal good roads department.
states that the direct saving to the
farmers Of this country from properly
constructed roads would be $780,
000, 900 annually; that there would
be a saving Of over 100000 0 in
marketing the wheat crop alone; OF
over s12, 600, 900 in marketing the
corn crop; and of So 1000 900 in mar
keting the cotton crop. However
great the money value of. good roads
may appear to be, it Is not as import
ant as the educational and social adj
vantages to be derived thereform by
the residents Of rural communities.
Bad roads restrict educational facili-
ties, limit the rural free delivery SER
vice, and prevent the proper develop
ment> of social life in the country.
Good roads permit OF grade schooiS
In the country, extend the rural free
delivery service, and check the e1o-
dus of young men and women from
the farm to the city. Already in lo-
calities where roads have been inn
nroyed we see the movement from the
city to the farm. r
Motorists and farmers by frequent
good roads conventions, by continuing
campaigns Of education, and by in-
dividual and organized activity, can
bring about sufficient appropriations
by towns, counties, States and nation.
It is q part of their duty to see that
these moneys are expended wisely,
under competent direction, and in ac-
cordance with systematic and WELL
organized plans. The system now In
operation in the State of New York
can be commended highly to many
of her sister States, particularly In
the matter OF classification OF roads
outside Of cities and villages. These
roads are divided into State, county
and town roads. The State roads
are the main traffic lines connecting
the larger centres of population
They comprise four per cent. OF the
total mileage Of the State, and are
to be constructed and maintained de I
rectly by the State, and at State <
pense. The county roads are those
which form within each county
properly developed system of main
market roads, taking into account
their use for the purposes,of common
traffic and travel. These roads COM
prise about six, per cent. of the total
mileage of the State and are con-
structed under State supervision and
at the Joint expense of the State,
county and town. The town a
comprise the rest Of the roads OF the
State, constituting about ninety per
cent. of the total mileage. They are
built and maintained under. the de
rection of the local authorities, but
with State supervision. the cost being
borne jointly by the State and town
From Recreation.