Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-16

| ton to the national A. A. A. good roads
| will not remain behind in results FOR very
| Tong. I'm the matter of road surface con-
| struction.' continues Maj. Crosby. "the
best practice in the United States is
| away in advance of the foreign
Since 1894. when the states of Massa-
| chuse:ts and New Jersey began their
modern road construction, the develop
men of such work in this country has
been rapid. New Jersey had first pro-
vided for state aid in highway improve
ment by an act passed in 1891. but this
was imperative from various causes un-
til June, 1894. when work was begun.
Connecticut began in 1895; Maryland in
1896; New York, in 1898. and other
states have followed from time TO time
until now. in 1911, over thirty are engag-
ed in this work.
When the work began in this coun-
try skilled highway engineers were
scarce. MacAdam quite naturally was
the mentor of the engineers attempting
! highway work-his predecessors. Tres
aguet and Telford being overlooked.
THE Massachusetts authorities seemed
| to comprehend, perhaps most clearly. the
principles laid down by MacAdam, and al
their work has been passed on these
aXiOmS. OF course, differing conditions
| new machinery and varying requirements
, compelled some changes in the applica-
tion of the principles, but the latter We're
as closely adhered to as possible under
conditions. The results show plainly that
Massachusetts was particularly fortunate
not only in the Observation-Disclosures and
far-sightedness of her men in charge
of the work, but also in the clearness
with which they understood the prin-
ciples at the bottom of macadam con-
struction.
In the variety of materials used, in
the development of method for using the
same, and in the recognition of the proper
principle to be followed, the engineers of
the ates can give points to the foreign
engineers. So far as I know. there is but
one item of construction on which we
should pattern after foreign practice,
and that is in the use Of machinery.
Owing to the diversity of our re-
sources and conditions. the American
road surfaces built offer an immense
variety of results. BY no means all Of
them are satisfactory nor, undoubtedly.
the best that could have been obtained
by better methods. But the variety of
materials and conditions has probably
in the short period of their use, inter-
fered in many cases, a proper recOgni-
ton of the best methods of use. Unwise
conservatism and adherence to old prac-
tees. as well as rash and unjustifahle
ignoring of we'll established PRINCIPLES,
have been naturally followed by failures
or unsatisfactory results. The advent of
a new material for use on the roads, or
the conception of a new method, per-
haps induced local conditions. has too
often tempted highway authorities, and
even the younger highway engineers. to
ignore or abandon the proved principles
underlying such work, and to rush after
false gods to their own Cor others) de-
struction.
Highway engineering is no longer the
work of skillful, II ignorant laborer
1t has become an intricate science call
ing for deep thought and high art to
meet successfully the demands on it's
followers. The engineers Of this country
have above all others responded success
fully to these demands, and in greater
variety and profusion of results. They
have fallen behind on one point alone
We have not, as a whole, as yet, be it
from lack of sufficient demand and op-
portunity,. be. it from. lack of popular
appreciation and support, or even lack
in ourselves of proper recognition of
our duty. developed a system of mainte-