The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-10-14
Mennonite Road Work

1t must be gratifying TO State Com
missioner Of Highways Charles W.
Gates to hear the good things that
are being said about the road I'M
provement in Vermont. He has been
a constant and consistent supporter
OF gravel roads and has stood out
stubbornly against an expensive sys-
TEN of macadam thoroughfares. He
honestly believes that gravel roads
are best and he has not been afraid
to say so. When New York, New
Jersey, Massachusetts,, New Hamp-
shire and other states are spending
millions Of dollars in the construc-
ton OF macadam roads It would be
perfectly natural for road official
in Vermont to believe that the only
way to secure permanent roads
would be to follow the example OF
these larger states
IL would mean the handling OF
larger amounts Of money and that
usually appeals pretty strongly to
the average public official. Vermont
Is indeed aurfetntthagJ6(
Is indeed fortunate that II has O man
at the head OF its highway depart
ment who knows conditions and who
has the good sense and the backbone
to stand up for his views. The re
suit is that while our sister states
have gone into extensive schemes oil
road building that would seem to pui
Vermont's humble efforts way In tn,
shade, they are saddllng on theil
tax payers burdens that are heavy
and yet are not getting as good re
suits as We are getting in the Greer
Mountain state. This Is no mer,
theory espoused to make the stat,
and her officials feel good II is al
established fact. noticed and Spoken
OF by strangers who are familiar Will
conditions in all the states named.
Commissioner Gates is receiving
words OF commentator and congrat
ulation from various sources.
prominent Massachusetts, gentleman
recently wrote TO Mr.. Gates sayinI
that he was surprised at the con
trast between the roads OF NeN
Hampshire and Vermont He wa
Immensely pleased with the uniform
ly good condition OF the roads In thi
state.
Another gentleman who had take
an automobile trip through Vernon
TO Montreal and back by the way {
Newport and New Hampshire sal
he was surprised TO find the roads {
Vermont so good. Automobiles ga
that II will not be long before We
mont will be an ideal state for tou
lists. This Is all very encouragin
and ought TO be great stimulai
towards even more and better wor
In the future. The wisdom OF n
increased road appropriation. mac
by the last legislature. is being CO
olusively shown and II ought not
be difficult 10 secure an even larg
sum from the next legislature. III
people are willing TO appropria
money II they can be assured OF {
adequate return.
The best feature OF our road pr
: gram is that II IL being carried o
without endangering the credit
the state. New Hampshire IL a
ready hating and wondering how
proceed. The millions that ha'
been spent In that state have produ
ed some good roads but Il is foui
that more millions have got to
forthcoming In order TO mainta
them. No question ia botherll
Governor Bass more than that
highway expenditures The peor
realize that they have been heavI
taxed and they naturally kick on
further tax 10 maintain what IN
we're told were to be permane
roads.-Burllngton Clipper