Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-15
TIE GOOD ROAD MOVEMENT.

County Road Commissioner Herald
Stevens says that fast driving by au-
tomobiles is one &C the most damag-
ing influences with which our high
ways have 10 contend, and that rea-
sonable rate Is the chief goal to he
reached in connection with the strug-
gle for good permanent roads. Tho
FREE PRESS long ago predicted that
the movement for the regulation of
speed for the protection Of the travel
ing public would adjust itself and
give way to the urging OF slower
speed for the protection of the high
ways, and this period seems to be rap
idly approaching, if. indeed, it has not
already arrived.
The movement for good roads is
making grand progress in all parts of
Vermont, and. while our owners of
teams were at first inclined to pro-
test against the auto a dangerous
lrterloper, conditions are rapidly adj
justing themselves, and /. Is now gen
the motor car has done more to has
ton the building Of smooth highways
than could have been brought about
in any other way for decades.
1t is now stated on good authority
that 100000 a day is the record
established throughout the United
states as the expenditure for improv-
ing and maintaining public roads
Never before in the history of the
country has there been such interest
IN the improvement of highways. And
with the legislatures of the States ap-
oropriating millions of dollars for this
purpose. the good roads movement has
received it's greatest impetus since the
foundation of the republic.
Tho money that will be expended on
the roads Of this coun,ry during tn,
next months will be more than
ever ore in the same period of time.
IN the total expenditure for the
cons ton and maintenance of
roads and bridges in the United states
amounted to about $4,000, 900, hut the
expenditure for this purpose in 1911
will aggregate about $40 800 900 Ex-
elusive Of Sundays and legal holidays,
f,1if1 Ia, fAr NTH
- 100000 a day during the present
road building season. This includes
all moneys raised by local taxation.
bond issues, state appropriations and
private subscriptions.
Every State in the Union" said
Logan W:..icr Page, director Of the
United States office of public roads. IN
telling Of the results of the great cam
paign for good roads, Seems at iast
to be Thoroughly aroused to the bene-
fits derived from investments in i'm
proved highways. In California, the
state ~" issued $4,000, 900 in bonds
with Uhlch to build a system of State
highways. This work will begin dur
ing the present season, In the state
OF Connecticut. about s2,25O,O0O will
be expended this year out of the State
treasury for trunk line and State aid
roads. OF the $4,000 900 bond issue
recently authorized in Maryland. over
sl'25O'OOo will be available this year
for trunk-line end State-aid roads.
Massachusetts, will expend from State
struction and maintenance of state
roads.
TT Is expected that at least $1,000
600 VIII be expended on State-aid
roads and on trunk-line systems In the
State of New York, in addition to ST.
100000 already raised by local taxa
ton. More money Is being devoted to
road Improvement in New York than
in any other State in the Union. ana
the percentage OF improved roads in
that State has increased from 10 per
cent. in 1904 to go per cent. in 1909.
''Over s2,o00oO0 is available IN
North Carolina from bond issues in the
various counties for road Improvement
tLis year, and the Legislature has au-
thorized the construction of a road
from the Atlantic ocean to the Ten
nessec line. a distance OF 425 miles.