The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-03-03

to take the floor The senator is
very learned on the matter of roads
and their construction and his talk
carried a great deal of weight in the
minds of the assemblage. He said
that the question is, at present, how to
solve the problem of the building of
the American highway. This cannot
be obtained through the national rev.
enues as not one penny is appropriat-
ed by the government for the building
or preservation of the roads. He said
that at present there are 81 state
good roads associations in the Unit
ed States and that these organizations
are progressing rapidly and are be-
ginning the work that has been such
problem for the past many years.
Every dollar spent by the. farmer or
property owner means two dollars
added 20 the value of the land that
the improved road touches. This was
a thought that the senator made i'm
pressize. The two things required to
achieve good roads are money and
brains. The post important thing in
building pike is a binder to hold the
stones in the bed together This,
said Mr. Alsdorf, is the great mistake
that so many communities make IN
the construction of their pike beds.
In Delaware county, there are more
miles IF pike than in any county in
the state. This is saying great deal
for that county in one way but when
we consider that the construction of
these miles of pike has been bad, it
is another thing. On each side of the
road are deep ruts from one half to
one foot in depth made by the con-
stant wearing by the wheels OF We
hicles. The stones have been worn
| away and the ruts have been cut clear
through into the soft earth beneath.
This is caused by the absence of an
asphalt binder or any of the other
| substances that can be used for that
purpose. What we want" said Sena-
| for Alsdorf is a law whereby cou-
gress will appropriate between $780,
100000 and $1OO,OO0,OOO annually for
the construction and maintenance of
good roads throughout the United
States. Good highways are nothing
more than symbols of civilization.
They effect and promote international
commerce and connect cities with
each other and with the surrounding
country"
During his speech, Mr.. Alsdorf
spoke VI state law providing for the
advancement of roads throughout
Ohio. The bill was introduced on
March LIST in the state senate by Sen,
ator s. B. Mcclure of Tuscarawas
county. The bill has for its purpose
the rejuvenation of the state highway
commissioners Office to such an ex.
tent and in such manner as to in.
sure for Ohio, new era in road
building.
Hon. Jesse Taylor of Jamestown
Ohio, next addressed the gathering
Mr.. Taylor was very eloquent in his
talk, which. carried many thoughts in
favor of the building of good roads. He
said that the first things asked by
real estate men when they wished
to purchase property are, is there
a good road and is there rural
route? Without good roads, rural
routes are not usually very success
full as far as prompt delivery and good
service are concerned. He stated that
in Green county, there is in one place
eleven miles of good highway and
along that stretch Of road there is on
ly one mortgaged property, but along
the roads that are not kept In con
dition and where the farmers do moi
take enough interest in themselves
or their lands to keep the roads good