Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-07-20

to the material development and mar
vclous financial elasticity of the coun-
ry. The far-rtarhing and splcndidly
maintained road system has distinctly
favored the success OF the small landed
proprietors. and in their prosperity. and
the ensuing distribution Of wealth. lies
the key to the wonderful financial vital
ity and solid prosperity of the French
nation"
The land and industrial agent of the
southern Railway reported
that in Jackson county. Alabama. a
bond issue OF S25o,o0o was voted. and
Within the neNt TWO years l25 miles of
macadam roads were built. The aver
age value OF all farm lands in jackson
county, on the basis of the United
States census of 100. was $3.50 per
acre. The selling price was from So to
sl5 per acre. Within q short time
after the completion OF the road system
the lana increased in value and found
acre. In Bradley county. Tennessee.
the assessed valuation WAS a frac-
ton over. 81 per acre: $176. 900
IN bonds We're issued. which were
sold for $210.C00. Today Bradley
county has about LOO miles Of excel
lent roads. and lands that
were Nalucless before these roads were
built. now find ready purchasers at
from Sl5 to $50 .-r acre.-Excerpt from
a report of the United states office of
public roads.
III is possible to show in detail num-
crots other far-reaching advantages to
the farmer in addition TO those already
herein set forth. Suffice it to say that
improved roads will bring--
Better schools and greater attend
ance
Better health and quicker medical
attention,
Better farms and more cultivated
land.
Better crops and cheaper t~ransporta-
ton.
Better economic conditions and more
products.
Better social conditions and less iso-
lation.
Better church and better
citizens.
Legislative Action.
TO keep up an interest in and to
properly prornote good roads. but more
particularly for the proper construction
and maintenance of our public roads.
we should haze q legislative act pro-
vldlng for a state highway department
and the establishment of a state high
way commission and the Office of state
igh%ay engineer. This act should
prescribe the duties of each and fix the
compensation of the state highway en-
gineer: hould authorize state aid for
n establishment. construction, main
tenance and repair of public highways
and bridges; create Il und and make
appropriations therefor: provide for
the working of state conyicts in the
preparation of Dad building Materials.
and provide for application by the
for state aid.
Ihls law providing for state SUPER
VISION and state aid i'm road irnprpun-
menf. should be so framed. as to re-
move its administration. as far as pos
slble. from pwolitical influences. TO this
end. therefore. 1t should be provided
that a non-paid state highway commits
sion should he appointed by the gov
ernor. said commission to consist of "A
professor of civil engineering from
a of the two leading universities in
the state, and one civilian member. A
commission thus constituted would
have Il majority of its members Sc
lected because of their training and en-
gineering ability. and without refer
ence to their political affiliations which
would insure q n~on-partisan and tech
nlcally competent and efficient commits
sion. The civilian embe to be APP
pointed by the governor should be
chosen with tho object i'm view of
bflnglnS to the commission n man OF
business ability and experience. which
is essential to the prope and economi-
ca. organization and prosecution of it's
work. This commission should appoint
q state highway engineer and should
fix his salary, n the engineer so Sc
lected and appointed should be a COM
potent Civil engineer. skilled and eNper-
fenced in road construction and main
anc
With a commission thus consti-
tinted and thoroughly organized, it
would be possible to carry on the great
work of good roads to the lasting bene-
mt of our entire people.
Road Materials.
The manner in which high speed mo-
tor cars damage a road surface was
discussed in a number of the papers
submitted to the International Road
Congress held In France during the
year 1908. Much has been said about
Virginia Darkey in War.
Major A.. II. II. Ransom. Late Major of