Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-05-23

rnoM TnE rnoENIx nErUnLlcAN.

Many Uf the southern and western
states have made remarkable pros
reAs within the past two or three
Years la the enactment OF laws whiea
provide for Tho extension OF thalr
highway systems and Tor the oon-
siruction and care OF Improved roads
The new conditions arising from tho
development OF automobile traffic.
have enlarged the question of public
highways from enc of puberty local
consideration. io an economic prln.
cipie Involving not only entire com-
monweahhs, but the nation as
whole,
When The traiio consisted of waa.
ons drawn by oxoR, or muies. or
norses. open roads to the nearest
railroad station OF Ron, landing were
all that was required Tho fact That
even such roads were not well built
nor kept In repair was due to va
ricty Of causes, Each particular 10.
enliiy had an explanation. purely lo-
eal, 10 account for the conditions
Bot as rule, those explanations asa
not explain. even to the satisfaction
o. those making them
The fact sian romained that nearly
ar quite 90 per cent Of the farmers
OF the country were keeping thom-
selves poor by reason OF the excess
slse cost Of marketing their products
These products aould be hauled only
make improvements, These are those
who also regret the passing Of the
spinning wheel. and the domestic
weaving loom, with which the women
az seasons when every body had 20 ,
haul Tliis resulted IN temporarily
overworked railway service, eongcsl-
cd markets, and low prices.
The older and Weather states saw
the point FIRST and began giving ala
TO counties and towns Ia building
improved roads. 50 that produce could
be marketed az amy time IN the year
The result was almost electrical Ia
les effect Thousands ~ farms, which.
because OF their relative Improbable
ness under a bad road system, be-
came productive again. Tile general /
values OF farm property were enor-
mously enhanced This was accom-. 1
piishcd by the building ~ a few town |
and county roads purely Tor local /
purposes
Then the automobile became Il fsc-
tor in the road question. ana tho 1
road problom became widenad and en-.
larged. with vehicles which would Il
cover 100 or 200 miltS "a lny tho
conditions Ia each county rapidly be-
came known 90 The people In adjoin- Il
ing counties. ana broader comprc-
hension o. The whole highway ques.
ton was inevitable. la country 1
where INTELLIGENCE prvd0miHatos
OF course there were. and stlll are
IN Isolated localities. persons WHO
sling 10 the bad roads 81 their grand
fathers, and resist any attempt 10
used to make the cloth Tor clothing
me family.
The age Is progressive Fifty or
.ixty years ago this country began TO
build railroads, and now we have
more than nearly an che rest OF tho
Forid together In place 81 crude in
iaslrial facilities, we have the very
best on earth; yet We are behind
lthoF civilized nations IN the im.
IroVement of our roads We are bo,
shining now 10 do with our highways
what should have been done Icing
1870.
There Is phase in The road aues-
ION which u statewide sn its applica-
ION. That relates 20 the through or
runk lines which accommodate
through traiiie. 10 leave the con.
Traction end care of these roads in
De hands of local autnorillos. must
oault IN uneven and Inhnrmonious
obstruction. unlmnFpfof fapa. and
nnulInfU rnff iHU.I.t.. |..IlMnll..