The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1911-12-01
ne Importance and Effectiveness of
Good Roads,

" The llllPOl AahSN Va kOOu 10
be- state of Washington has never
Zen better demonstrated nor brought
l the attention of the public in a
oore effective manner than by a re-
emf number of the Pacific Builder
I, Engineer. The issue of November
9th of this prominent trade paper is
grtrely devoted to the 18th Annual
Convention of the Washington State
Food Roads association, held at We
batchee late this fall. All of the lead
he discussions and papers presented
/ that convention are contained, with
4 large number of fine half-tone illus
rations, in this issue of the journal.
Some two pages are devoted to
original editorial comment, dealing
nth the road situation in the Great
Northwest, in Washington and
british Columbia in particular. The
ditorial attitude of this publication is
Spressed most favorably in behalf of
onvict labor for public highway con-
truction.
The papers of this convention are
rouped under two general subjects:
ne constructive and social phases of
God Roads. The first phase is COW
red by State Highway Commission
w. J. Roberts, King County Engi-
eer J. R. Morrison, and Seattle Har-
or Engineer R. H. Thompson, deal
he respectively with state, county
nd private effort in the construction
highways. Mr.. Thompson's paper
teats in a most interesting manner Of
he remarkable road work done in
klickitat county, between Maryhill
Ind Goldendale, by Sam Hill and in
he construction of which Professor
lancaster has developed dump wa
on destined to contribute, probably,
much as any one factor in the
tate to the economical construction
d roadways. Mr.. Hill, in speaking
Il the Lancaster tractor, says that if
his wagon continues to show as ia
orable results as it has on this road
hat he will feel amply repaid for his
years Of earnest and continuous
kork in behalf uf good roads for the
late of Washington.
In developing the social problems,
ssociated with the good roads move
lent, L. L. Bush of Bay Center,
Washington, has scholarly, unusual
I'D unique paper in which he presents
argument for good roads as an i'm
8ortant factor destined to stay the
Elective processes which are now 60
BE- on in society. He claims that the
lex of good roads throughout the
puntry is largely the cause of the
EST element forsaking the country
ID going to the city in search of the
ivantages which the metropolitan
enters offer, leaving behind the less
aggressive and more shiftless ele-
ent 70 human nature to become the
prefathers of the race; the country
miles increasing in numbers while
be city families decrease. With the
Oming of good roads this immigra-
on will be stopped, rural centers
ill be developed and the best element
+ the race will be kept in the country
nd the future prestige of the nature
bill become an assured fact.
In handling the social and economic
eatures of convict labor with refer
nee to highways, Mr.. Fairchild, of
Tacoma, has discussed the honor sys-
EN- in vogue in Colorado and Oregon,
nd severely criticises the way convict
abor is being employed in the state
81 Washington.
Another unique feature, or phase
pf the social problem is enlarged upon
BY A. Warren Gould, who presents
most interesting paper on the CAPT,
alization of Our scenery in which he
points out that the scenic resources
pf the greater northwest exceed those
pf any other section of the world
These resources, he argues, should be
made available to the travelling public
And to the luxury-loving tourist by
means of modern highways. Mr.
Gould would prove that large sums
pf money would be spent by the mo
Tor touring public in this section o.
The country if good roads were here
10 attract it.
The development of primary trans
portation as a national problem IL
covered quite fully by a comprehen
bive article prepared by Samuel Hill
1t is doubtful if any contribution
Equal in value to that which is con
tained in the current issue OF the Pa
cifc Builder & Engineer has appeared
for the cause of good roads this yea
in the public press.