The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1911-09-01
GOOD ROADS THAT ARE PERMA-
NENT.
American Roads do not Compare Fav.
orably with those of Europe.

WT@WNW Will UMUSU WA GuLWPUS
Chief among the qualities Of good
road il that of durability, and dura-
bility can be assured only by first
class work and construction and by
ceaseless vigilance in maintaining the
road in perfect condition. 1t goes
without saying that the highways OF
America, considered as whole, are
not to be compared with those OF the
older European counties. After a
motor car tour through Europe, the
returning American becomes painful
ly aware of the fact that in this most
important matter, his country, even if
we allow for its comparative youth
fulness, is many decades behind that
stage of development to which its
wealth and enterprise should have
carried it long ago. Although we
say this with full appreciation Of the
fact that some OF our states, and not
ably Massachusetts and New Jersey
have done effective work in building
up a system OF highways, the fact re
mains that, taken as a whole, the
United States has not done much
more in the matter of good roads than
make a beginning-the work has yet
to be done.
It IL not that we have been par
simonious In the matter Of appropria-
tons. Had the money which has
been voted by Legislatures and coun-
ty boards, and the enormous amount
Of work which has been done under
the assessment, been expended wise
ly in the first place, and followed up
by intelligent maintainence and
repair-in other words, had we built
our roads and cared for them, as they
build and maintain them in Eu-
rope, we do mot hesitate to say that
for the money and energy expended,
our roads would have been at least in
one hundred per cent better condition
than they are today.
The fundamental requirements of a
good road are an ample foundation
and good drainage. without these, the
most carefully leveled and smoothly
rolled top surface is nothing more
than delusion and a snare. Furth-
.ermore, a good road which has been
built with good foundations, good
drainage, and an ample depth OF suit
able top dressing-unless it be watch
cd and tended with the most solicit
tous attention-will 60 to pieces only
little less rapidly than the cheap
product OF the scraper and horse roll
Ter
We have long believed that in those
districts were scarcity of travel and
financial inability to provide the
necessary funds prohibit the construc-
ton Of a irst-class macadam road,
1t would be better to invest the time
and money in constructing short sec
tons OF durable road, leaving the
traffic to fight II out with chuck
hole" deep ruts and mud over the
balance Of the highway during the
winter months. The endurance OF q
few years of discomfort would be re-
paid by the ultimate possession or a
permanent first-class highway. More
over, the use of oil or some other of
the many excellent "binders"that are
now available would make it posi-
bic to maintain the unimproved road
way in al good, If not better, condi-
ton than the old scrape-and-roller
highway, which invariably went to
pieces after the first two OF three
frosts and rains OF the winter.
In districts where financial condit-
ions and the amount of traffic has
warranted the construction OF expen-
s1ve roads, millions of dollars have
been thrown away becuse OF the abb
solutely absurd system OF maintenance
Gf it can be called such) which has
been followed. There is no method
OF construction upon which eternal
vigilance is SO necessary as on that
OF the modern macadam highway.
This has long been recognized in Eu-
rope, where the roadways are divided
into comparatively short sections,
each OF which Is controlled by a sec
ton gang, provided with a supply of
broken rock, gravel, sand, or other
road mending material, conveniently
in piles along the roadway.
Each member Of the gang has his
pick and shovel and as
soon as the slightest indication of
breakdown, such as rut or hollow,
Is detected, repairs are made before
the damage can proceed any futher.
a century Of experience has proved
that this is the only way in which a
road can be maintained always in alb
solutely first-class condition; never
was the truth of the old adage. IA
stitch in time saves nine" more strik-
ingly true than in this matter of the
upkeep Of public horoughfares-
Scientific American.
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