Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-01-19
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1912.
BUILD GOOD ROADS.

BUILD GOOD ROADS.
There is widespread agitation
throughout the United States on the
question of good roads. Meetings
have been held, are now in session
are planned for the future, look
ing toward the betterment of the
highways OF The nation. The move
ment has extended into North Dako
ia, where the question OF good roads
is a vital topic for discussion.
Good roads are powerful empire
builders Three hundred and twelve
years before the birth of Christ. APP
plus Claudius Caecus, censor OF
Rome, commenced the construction
of the great Appian Way, which was
the first of the network of magnifi-
cent highways leading into the Eter-
nal City from all directions. TO these
splendid avenues of transpOrtations
the Roman empire owed, in a large
measure, its unparalleled growth and
development. The Appian Way, in
good repair, is still in use in many
places, although over twenty-five hun
dred years have elapsed since its
construction. The nations of Europe
have followed the example set for
them by the Romans of yore. and
the highways of the continent are
splendid examples of what can be
achieved by expert road builders.
A country becomes great in COM
merce, in civilization, in industry,
only as its means of transportation
facilities, the transfer of it's prod
ucts from point to point are improved,
or easy means afforded to the people
that they may gather together for
mutual counsel. A state becomes
wealthy through affording to its set
tiers, it's citizens, its farmers, a suf-
ficient means of transportation Of
what they can produce. Former gen
erations have cleared away the dense
timber lands, or have broken in the
trails over the western prairie. 1t Is
the duty of the present generation to
drain these highways and improve
them so that posterity may enjoy ia
cilities Of transportation adequate to
care for the commerce and traffic
which it is hoped will be carried on
in the years to come
Good roads can not be constructed
by inexperienced workmen. They
must be builded as carefully as sub.
:stantial business dwelling, from the
foundation up. The old statute labor
road tax did in reality more harm
than good. 1t permitted men to work
on the roads with drags and plows,
who had no real idea as to what the
results of their efforts would be. and
their labor was certainly in vain
The government has established
good roads bureau which is doing a
splendid work. It's purpose is more
that of educating the people of the
nation. The various commonwealth
themselves must improve the high
ways within their own borders, and
construct additional roadways that
will be sufficient to care for their
commerce and transportation. Every
state in the Union is alive to the i'm
portance of Legislation which shall
make provisions for the betterment
of it's highways, and some have al
ready made rapid strides forward in
the solution of this great economic
problem.
In North Dakota there is deep
seated interest in the question. The
proposed Winnipeg to the Gulf high
way which proposes to cut across
the eastern section of the state, has
1indled the enthusiasm Of the resi-
dents of the communities through
which the route has been mapped out,
and the farmers of the western Sec
ton and the slope country are awak-
ening to the importance Of having
the very best possible highways. They
have come to q realization that road
IL no better than its poorest SPOT In
many of the western roads there are