Norwich bulletin., 1910-09-10
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER
SPENT NIGHT HERE
J. n. Macdonald Received Many Prac-
tical Ideas from Convention at Brus-
sells

State Highway Commissioner James
H. Macdonald of New Haven. who has
lately returned from the international
convention of roads which was held
at Brussels, is just now making his
annual fall inspection of the roads of
this state. He is accompanied by his
assistant c. G.. Nichols, and has al
ready examined some of the roads i'll
Windham county and today will look
over roads in New London county. He
spent Friday night in this city and dur
ing the evening was seen by a repre-
sentative of The Bulletin and ques-
toned in regard to his recent trip
abroad.
Mr.. Macdonald was reluctant about
giving out anything for publication,
but was finally prevailed upon to make
a brief statement relative to the sew
eraI countries he visited, the congress
he attended and q few of the conditions
he noted on his travels. His itinerary
included the countries of England,
Scotland, Ireland, France Germany,
Belgium and Holland, and practically
all of his time was spent in careful
and systematic study of the road con-
ditions abroad His findings were of
incalculable value to him and although
he feels fairly we'll content with the
condition of the highway Improvement
in this country and the mode of pro-
ceduFe adopted, especially in Connac-
ticut. yet Mr.. Macdonald stated, he
received many practical hints that will
be taken advantage Of
The condition of the roads in Great
Britain and the continent is excellent
in most places. There, however they
are favored with q regular rainfall
which serves to keep the roads moist
and the temperate climate the year
around, with the cool nights, serve fur
Their to their advantage. In addition,
the Europeans have perfect system
of shade trees along the highways, and
various means are adopted to protect
the roads. such as a different method
of hitching their horses so that the
wear on the streets is even, the adop-
ton of very wide tires and what was
especially noticeable was the treatment
of those parts where there was a con-
centration of travel Here the Belgian
block pavement was employed. while in
the other places light macadam was in
evidence. Above all though. was their
splendid administration system with
one recognized head, with various sub
ordinates. But in those places, the
commissioner continued the whOIa
system has resolved itself to the care
and maintenance rather than to con-
structiOn work and considering the
fact that there is but very little ma
chinery work done there. all work be
ing done by hand labor. which is so
cheap, a strict comparison between
their methods and ours can hardly be
made.
Respecting the convention at Brus
sells, to which he was appointed as a
delegate from the state of Connecticut
by Governor Weeks. and which was
attended by delegates from every civ
ilized country, including far off Japan,
Commissioner Macdonald expressed the
utmost satisfaction. The thing that
left the deepest impression on his mind
was counterpart, in miniature. of
every road that has existed since the
first century This covered an acres
area and exhibited not only surface
conditions but cross sections as we'll
which showed the several modes of
construction. Mr. Macdonald secured
number of fine pictures of this work
Mr.. Macdonald said that he was sat
isfied with the present arrangements
in this state and was hopeful for the
future. Some time in the near future
he intends to adopt portable plants,
which will greatly facilitate the con-
structfon work that is going on in
very nearly every township. He pro-
poses further to extend the gravel sys-
tenn and in this way will utilize ma -
terial in the towns themselves He
also Is in favor of pushing forward
the movement which Will provide a
perfect system of shade trees wherever
conditions are such as to make this
possible.