The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-12-19
GOOD ROADS

Aberdonians have taken the lead in
the good roads movement in South
Dakota, as they have taken the lead
in so many things calculated to bene-
fit the entire state. But, in justice to
other good citizens OF the state, 1t
should be stated that the Aberdeen
movement for better roads has re-
tive co-operation-and in fact, the
head OF the movement in the north.
ern part of the state is not an Aber-
deem man, but J. w. Parmley of Ips-
witch. That doesn't alter the truth
OF the first sentence in this article,
however, for the simple reason that
Ab~erdonians long ago adopted Mr..
Parmley as one of their own. How
ever, in the matter of good roads build
ing, there are honors to be attained
sufficient to go around; for e man
whose enthusiasm and interest in a
subject OF such vital Importance to
the welfare of the nation is sufficient
to cause him to keep even the road
past his property in the best possible
condition Is entitled to at least a tiny
niche in the good roads hall Of fame.
1t 10 only by co-operation-a state
wide movement, backed by the sup
port Of every property owner-that
the good roads movement can attain
full fruition. This fact Is recognized,
not only in South Dakota. but in other
states az we'll, as Is shown by a lead
ing editorial In the Omaha World
Herald, owned by Senator Gilbert NJ.
Hitchcock, which contains some time
ly observations on the good roads
question, which are as applicable to
South Dakota as they are to Ne
braska:
The good roads movement Is a grow
ing one, not only In Nebraska but in
all sections of the country.
EARLY ~prejudices and misunder-
standings are being wiped out aus the
campaign Of education progresses.
The absurd charge, for example, that
1t is all a selfish propaganda Of the
automobilists, Is dying a natural
death. OF course as the automobile
is coming to be more and more a
favored means of locomotion, and as
auto trucks are promising to replace
horses and a wagon even on the
try roads, automobile owners and man.
ufacturers are increasingly interested
in the building of good roads. But So,
to an eve greater extent, Is every
farmer who hauls his produce to mar
ket by horsepower. Every dollar that
Is properly expended in improving the
roads adds to the traction powe~ of
every horse that pulls a wagon. Every
such dollar means vastly more to the
farmer, as a rule, than does a dollar
expended by the railroads In furnish |
ing more and better rolling stock or In |
improving their roadbeds. For the |
average farmer spends more money,
whether he knows. 1t or not, in get
ting his crops from the farm to the
local market than he does In getting
them from the local market to the
market. And, while he pays
for road Improvement in taxes, he
for railroad improvement in
freight rates. The one expenditure,
In the end, Is charged up to him quite
a. fully as the other.
One of the most important questions
which the incoming legislature
will have to deal is this matter of
road Improvement. Further than that
L h. one Of the most important ques-
lions with which the state will have
o deal In the coming generation,
'anking On its economic phrase, right
alongside such questions as the de-
and utilization OF cheap
water power. and the construction OF
electric lines.
There 10 q general and well-founded
'roteot against the burden Of taxation.
Futurs legislatures will be compelled
Q sire heed to that protest. But In
lodng 90 every legislature and every
eefslator should keep clearly in mind
~ d~fgtfnckfom <avna ~
onded a. to bring In . financial re-
and taxes which are 90 expend-
4 = to bring no returns in dollars
- eents.
Tho etats h . great cooperative
atefprise IN ~ government aspect.
~ partnesship or . corporation taxes
! smsanbes1 or funds which can be