The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-07-13
Stands For G'aou Eosus.

Senator Swanson Of Virginia, re-
Gently made an argument on the
floor of the Senate in favor Of good
roads and the duty Of the federal
government to operate with the
States in building them. The Atlanta
Constitution says he, disposes Of every
argument, economic, legal and politi-
cal, against the general government
making liberal provision for extend
ing the mileage OF improved high
ways. He calls attention to the fact
that under its constitutional power
to establish postofiaes and postrcads,
the government years ago built tnt
old Cumberland turnpike, and un-
doubtedly would have continued
making liberal appropriations for i'm
proved highways, Eut for the amaz-
ing development of railroad construc-
.tion.
This factor which temporarily
halted the work Of constructing i'm
proved highways, Ia now eliminated.
There is more reason than ever for
good roads to bring the open coun>
try in touch with railroad lines. The
railroads themselves appreciate the
fact that better roads means more
produce to haul to market, and more
business in the shape Of freight and
passengers. They are cooperating
with the farmers In behalf Of improv-
ed means of communication, between
farm and city; between farm and rail-
road station. TEe present demo-
cratic house of representatives is
pledged by the last democratic nat
ioal platform to cooperate with the
various states in building roads. The
platform pledge being: eve favor
federal aid to state and local authori-
ties in the construction of post
roads" It should redeem that pledge
during the life of this congress.
Arguments Of the vigor and di-
rectness of the one made by Senator
Swanson, of Virginia, and few days
ago by Senator Simmons, Of North
Carolina, should serve to awaken the
congress to the popular demand for
government cooperation, and lead to
practical steps being taken to this
end. Senator Swanson charges that
we have the poorest public highways
Of any civilized nStion, and that the
improvement of the highways Is the
problem of overwhelming impor-
tanee before the nation today. He
says that of the 2,155,000 miles Of
public roads less than 100000 are
macadamized. The figures he gives
as to the cost OF, handling farm.
products over bad roads, as compared
to the lower co.. Of transportation
over good roads, are worthy of close
attention. More important than this
saving to the individual farmer, is
the tremendous enhancement of the
'abutting property, and that in all the
section served, which always follows
the improvement # a highway.
The federal government has estab-
lished as post roads some 100000
miles of highway over which the ru-
raj mail is transported. It demands
that these roads be kept in passable
condition by the local community,
out makes no provision for aiding In
that work. If there is a single good
and sufficient reason why Uncle Sam
should not cooperate, we have not
seen it advanced says the Constitu-
ton. No scheme Of internal improve
ments promises better and more sat
isfying results to the people and to
the government. It is only ques-
ton of time when good roads ap-
preparation bill will be introduced in
congress as regularly as rivers and
harbor bill. The country is worked
up over the question as never before.