Newark post., 1910-08-31

An article has recently appeared,
Written by Logan Walter Page, direc-
or officer of Public Roads, u. S. De-
partment of Agriculture. His sub
ect is one that appeals to the inteli-
fence of all rural communities
fGood Roads and Better Schools"
He first comments on the rareness
u person taking up with All idea
INVOLVING the spending of money, with
(ut first being fully convinced of the
Falue of his returns. At present there
Ire many districts where the majority
citizens are not conscious of the
ene6cial results that follow the build
be of good roads and in the reversal
this majority lies the only hope Of
errying any ambition along this line
a realization.
Mr.. Pages article, in part, follows:
THE advantages of good roads ex-
nd to every citizen, whether he live
city or country; and to every enter
Use, whether it be agricultural, man
hcturing, or mining. All are more
less dependent on the common
ghways as an avenue of the CONNER
FL u diSpol ldli'ii- diid III plopoi lloll
these highways are improved SO
TO facilitate transportation are they
enehtted thereby. These benefits
We been carefully computed and es-
mated i'll dollars and cents, and SO
ormous have they been thus demon
rated to be that they present con
hcing argument to any thinking man
the Importance and necessity for
pad improvement
But there are other elements OF
vantage which more urgently re-
tmmund the improvement OF our
ads. Advantages which deserve far
ore serious consideration than any
financial advantages which we may
in, and which cannot be measured
Kcording to any monetary standard
It must be looked for i'll the elcva-
pn OF our citizenship and the moral
I'D intellectual advancement of ouI
pital. Two thirds of our people are
gaged i'll agricultural pursuits and
e away from the centres Of business
ID population. They have not the
we'd streets and good roads Of the
Ties and towns. They live apart from
1ch other and have no roads such a:
Ford easy and convenient means o
bnsacting business, of social inter
2urse, and regular attendance upor
Nurch and school. To them will flow
G maximum OF benefits from i'm
loved roads. Improved roads viii
ling them in closer touch with the
ntres OF progress. 1t will give them
3larged ideas and assist them to adop
new methods which are SO neces
~ for them to keep pace with the
rch of progress along other lines
d as they advance SO will our civil
ion As they advance so will OF,
tire country. an din equal ratio.
&Good roads would revolutionIzt
b country schools. Contrast the 10
the country child on his way II
hool in winter with that of the cit,
Id with only few blocks of pavet
eets to walk. Our country child
Nj satchel over shoulders and luncl
eket in hand, must leave the cheer
freside of home from half an hou
IAN hour before sslool opens in or
to be there on time. The road
E. wet and muddy many months o
Fl year. The country is open ant
cold winds are unmerciful in thei
Ks upon him. So that, by the tim
M eacles the school house, which i
unscentihcally ventilated an
e ly heated. his feet are-so cold ant
body so chilled that he is unfit TO
or recitation most Of the day
e. the exposure and chilling of TIL
a. invite pneumonia and other dis
hese conditions cause broken an
1S&ular attendance They create a
n sion iii the child for the schoo
q y instead of a pride in punctua
- q @bdance ard studious advancement
Nv only this, but mother hates t.
c148iler children trot off to school tw
,r hree miles away in cold, bad wea
rh She iears that the injurious ef
Z eos upon the body from the exposur