The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-08-12
FORTUNES
FOR GOOD ROADS

More money is being expended In
the United States this year than
has ever before been devoted to this
purpose. Some results OF the work
being done by the Touring club OF
America. In conjunction with tile
American Association for Highway
Improvement, toward educating the
public to the value of improved high :
ways throughout the country are IL
Illustrated In chart just prepared by
the United States office OF public
roads, which shows that nearly 49,.
900 miles Of transcontinental, inter-
state and trunk line roads are con-
templated in various sections OF tl.a
country
Although the chart was prepa, ed
by the office of public roads, 1t does
not by any means represent all the
work that has been projected or is
aided financially by the government
The idea in issuing the chart was
merely to show the great impetus
that lately has been given to the
nationwide movement for improved
public roads.
Practically every state in the union
is benefited to some extent by the
proposed new highways, and the
widespread interest in the good roads
movement indicates that the time Is
not far distant when the United
States will be interlaced by COM
plete system Of good roads.
Estimates prepared by the office of
public roads show that by improving
20 per cent Of the roads OF the ma
ton almost the highest point OF EN-
cheney could be reached. Twenty per
cent of the roads in each state could
be improved by an expenditure of an
average sum Of 100000 a state, and
the annual saving thereby, in the
wear and tear on horses. wagons and
automobiles, in the transportation of
crops and Increased land values, is
estimated at over $1,000, 00O, 600.
In this great movement the Touring
Club OF America, which is affiliated
with the American Association for
Highway Improvement. has played a
part, and the chart is a clear object
lesson Of what the immediate future
has In store for automobile tourists
throughout the United States.
This chart, as prepared by the Of
flee Of public roads indicates the ex-
tent to which the good roads move
ment has taken hold in every part
Of the United States. The roads al
ready improved, others merely plan
ned and many now under construc-
tion literally make network cover
ing tho whole country
With the fulfilIment Of all these
plans 1t will be possible to drive
wagons and automobiles from the At
lantic TO the Pacific coast and from
Vancouver, British Columbia, to IT,
juana, Mexico. and from Montreal,
Canada. TO Miami, Fla.
The map prepared by the office OF
public roads. merely for the purpose
Of gauging the extent OF the good
roads movement as fostered by in
dividuals, associations and communi-
ties. shows the following great high
ways In contemplation or actually un-
der construction:
From Yellowstone park to Glacier
National park. through Fort Yellow
stone. the Big Hole battlefield and
other interesting points in the Rocky
mountains, q total distance Of $50
miles.
The Pacific highway. from VAN
couver, B. G., 10 Tijuana, Mex, a dis
lance of 1000 miles.
The Memphis to- Bristol highway
connecting Knoxville, Nashville and
jackson, a distance OF sac miles,
The Lincoln Memorial road, from
washington to Gettysburg. 40 miles.