The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-04-11
MONEY VALUE or GOOD ROADS.

Practically every one comedies the
value OF good roads but somehow the
idea IS prevalent that they are lux
uries which few communities can af-
ford. "Yes we need 'em but can't
afford it" is the usual reply. It is a
fact, however, that bad roads are the
most expensiye-the real luxury"
that no community can afford-and in
proof of this there is ample evidence.
W. C. Latta OF Purdue University,
La Lafayette, Ind, recently sent
letter Of inquiry to sixty Of the most
Intelligent farmers in forty counties
located in the central and northern
parts of the state. The substance Of
these letters is given herewith.
"(1) About what proportion Of the
public highways in your county are
good gravel roads?
"(2) Please estimate the average
increase (in dollars and cenIs) in the
selling price per acre Of land through
out the county as the result Of such
gravel roads.
"(3) If the public roads in your
county we're converted into improved
highways, how much. In your judg-
ment, would it increase the average
selling price per acre Of land through
out your county?
"(4) What would be a fair estimate
Of the cost per mile of converting our
common dirt roads as they now exist
into good gravel roads. provided. Of
course. the work were to be perform
ed economically under some compe.
tent general supervision, and not
hampered by legal restriction !?
"(5l Suppos.ng that your county
were divided into 1OO-ac-e farms and
that the average distance Of each
farm from market were s miles. what,
in your Judgment. would be the aver
age annual cost Tin dollars and cents)
to each farmer Of our unimproved
highways?
Tn answering the fifth question
please take into account the reduced
loads, increased time. extra wear and
tear. and loss in sale from inability
to deliver products when the market
IS best"
Over 40 replies % these Inquiries
we're received from as many counties.
and Mr.. Latta summarizes them as
follows:
First: The average estimated in
crease in the selling price Of land due
to existing improved highways is $6.-
IS per acre. The estimates from
which this average is made refer in
most cases to lands near the inprov-
ed roads; but in few instances they
apply to all the land OF the county.
The average increase, therefore, Of
s6.4S per acre. is lower than was in
tended for the lands near the i'm
proved roads.
Second: The estimated average in
crease per acre that would result
from improving all the public roads,
is So.
Third: The estimated average cost
Of converting the common public
roads into improved highways is ST.
LAG per mile.
Fourth: The estimated annual loss
per 100 acres. from poor roads is
s7ss.
If these estimates are given ap-
proximateIy correct, they furnish a
key to the satisfactory solution Of the
question OF highway Improvement
from the money standpoint On the
basis of the last mentioned estimate
the average annual loss per acre from
poor roads is over 76 cents. In five
years the losses would aggregate 81
432 for every section Of land, and this
sum would construct two miles at q
cost Of sl,7l6 per mile, which is $40
per mile above the estimated aTcsage
ileost given by the farmers them
lselves."