Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-26
WHIT WE SPEND ON HIGHWAYS

lWf7Al WE SPEND Wv f7ISf1W n I y
In thoroughgoing and suggestive review Of
highway development. the Good Roads magazine cal
culates that during the year 1911 one hundred and
nfty million dollars was spent upon road building
in the United States.
Compared with the merits and the Importance of
the cause concerned. this sum looms too large;
and when we have taken into account all the pro-
gress il signifies we must still remember that there
is vast deal yet be done. But when this record
Is placed beside that Of decade even of the
years Immediately preceding, it reveals awaken
ing that is truly wonderful
That the American people should have expended
one hundred and fifty million dollars in the cause
Of good roads within single twelvemonth is indeed,
a weighty and a hopeful omen. 1t shows that the
popular mind is becoming alert to the significance
Of weIIbuilt and well-kept highways, and that the
tremendous cost of poor roads is at length being
realized. ,. ssr
One of the most gratifying aspects of this record
is that the more good highways build, the more
clearly do we perceive their value 1t is a matter
OF common observation that the community which
once fairly starts upon roadway improvement and
construction continues thenceforth to grow
tive and liberal in such work Accordingly, it may
be expected that the current ye,- viii show
greater and speeGier advance than did 1911.
The review in question cites two facts Of partic
uIar interest More than thirty states of the Union
have established highway departments perma-
nent institutions in their administrative plan and it
was in such states that large portion of the
hundred and fifty million dollars spent
This indicates the definite worth of state high
way commission. 1t serves a stimulus and
guiding power to the various counties in their road
building activities. progressive state, TO be sure,
can accomplish much in highway development with
out such commission. as is shown by Georgia This
commonwealth ranks high among all the others of
the country in road construction and maintenance.
Indeed if we remember Alright. she led the entire
Union during the past five years, with the one ex-
ception Of New York. 1t is, nevertheless, evident
that commission is a vital aid to the of
good roads. It greater economy, larger re-
suits and what is particularly important, it assures
unity and conference of action.
It is truism to say that roads cannot render
their widest service save parts of well designed
and thoroughly linked system. However well
county may build, il reap the full benefits Of
good roads unless its neighbor co-operated. By
it's very nature. a highway must be continuous
thing II it is to yield due results
The need of a state department Of good roads in
Georgia has long been manifest At the last session
OF the general assembly bill to create such
mission introduced but because of the pressure
OF eeventhhOur business. It failed Of passage It is
TO be hoped that the approaching session the effort
10 secure this important legislation will be repeated
and that it viii meet with success.
The review set forth in the Good Roads magazine
is necessarily lacking in details which the
people OF the South and Georgia would like to know.
1t indicates however. that this section is well in the
forefront Of the nation in the good roads
What has been accomplished within the past year
is a splendid tribute to people; and it should
be made the inspiration for still larger and more
fruitful undertakings.
You can't fool any of the people any of the time
on baseball
No laundry should charge stiff prices for I'M
starched work
Perhaps many wife thinks she is chained to the
missing link.
It is disconnected duck that can't be happy
this weather.
And where is the old-fashioned village baseball
game where the umpire was an empire?
Il is time, too. that honor be done some of the
49, -.