The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-09
Need Of Good Roads in the South

than the cost of.railroad freights per
mile that we can but be amazed a our
cur failure to utilize our opportunities.
Every wheel that turns over a had
road adds to the cost of living and do
'hS business; every farmer is daily
paying toll through the heavy burden
OF BAD roads which In the aRsrerata
eost is Tar more than his taxation. both
o.ate and national In fact. as an eco.
nomic problem pure and simpIe tbe
question OF good roads is OF more Vial
concern to the American people than
Inc question OF protection or free trade.
mere is no other economic problem
before the country OF more Importance
Tor the people of all classes and All
sections than that Of good roads While
. uao roaos mean undeveloped educa-
tional and religious activities, con-
tlhued loneliness Of country life, lack
or prosperity on the farms. as compar-
ed with what there might be, and MANY
other disadvantages. GOOD roads, on
the other hand. mean the highest edu-
catlonal and religious advancement, a
more general prosperity Of all classes
the elimination OF the loneliness OF
country life. and the keeping at home
OF tens OF thousands OF people who
Without good roads will continue to
crowd the cities, often to their own
disadvantage and to the Disadvantage
Of the cities.
can only came through the highes.
Development OF the agricultural dis.
tricts. and this can only come through
the highest development Of all religi.
Gus and educational activities and
social possibilities. The country must
be made as attractive through good
reads. and the blessing which they
bring, AS to the city. or otherwise we
shall, have continuation Of the tre-
mendous drain from the country to
the city which has been one OF the
dominant features OF our national
growth during the last quarter OF q
century.
No Coat Attached.
! believe ii may be said without
question that broadly speaking the
building Of good roads through any
settled district does not in reality cost
the county. State or individual a single
dollar. This is due to the fact that
the construction Of improved high
ways Immediately results In enhance
ment in the values cf all adjacent prop
critics By reason, SO far as the farming
districts are concerned. Of the higher
profits which come through reduced
cost in cultivating and shipping all
products. y striking illustration or
this was recently given when one OF
the leading citizens OF Della ware made
an offer to that State 70 build high
way through the entire State at cost
OF 100000. and not to be reimbursed
except through the increased income OF
the counties and the State from the
lnrger values created by the construc-
ton OF the road. So confident was he.
and the whole history Of the building OF
good roads proves the correctness OF
his position. tina; there would come en-
HANGED values By reason OF grea ter
profits to those living along the line.
that he was willing to stake 50, ooo, 900
and thus show his faith by his works.
Throughout the entire world there
hae come an awakening 10 the I'M
portance Of building good roads It
is true that In most European coun-
tr'ee, there are magnificent highways
on which hundreds OF millions Of dol
lars have bcen expended. but even In
those countries renewed attention Is
being given to the betterment OF ex-
listing roads The South has been tre-
mendously handicapped by It's bad
roads. The need of the increased rail-.
z. r,li'tcs In the South is so great
that 1t can scarcely be overstated,
and yet vitality important as are en-
larged railroad facilities, they are SO.