The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-03-08

ana do more toward developing its nat
ural resources than any one thing
The farmers profits depend largely on
how far he has to haul his crops and
the condition Of the roads he has to
use to get to and from market. On
good road he can move twice the
load he can on a badly worked one full
of ruts and mu dholee When his team
is not loaded he makes twice the time
on good road and does it with less
wear and tear on his team.
Automobile drivers demand good
roads and in many instances help fin
anclally to build and keep them in re-
pair. Cities and towns can not afford
to neglect the good roads proposition.
This is the one avenue Of successful
country trade. Farmers and others
do not mind the distance TO town so
much as they do the conditions Of the
roads and bridges A large town as a
trade center has many advantages over
the smaller ones Competition Is clos
ed and a larger variety to select from.
Then again il the farmer has produce
to sell he has home market in the
big city while the smaller one has to
ship his surplus to the city to find the
consumer. Consequently the city has
the advantage over the small town in
the markets for hay corn grain, etc.
Good roads are the solution as a trade
getter. Vinita's good roads should be
built at least two thirds the way to
our competing towns of Alton, Blue
jacket, Centralia, Big Cabin and south
east to the new station on the NJ. o.
& G., now building. This would give
us q splendid trade era which right
fully belongs to Vinita
Our farm lands are rapidly settling
up with progressive, prosperous and
energetic northern an deastern farm
ers who appreciate good roads. New
houses, barns and other substantial
improvements are to be seen on every
hand. Those people came here to
make their homes. They are used to
good roads and will be willing to CO
operate with county, township, city or
individuals in putting our public high
ways In good condition.
Organization is necessary lndi-
vIduals can not do this work How
and where to commence.
Methods for good and efficient work
where every dollar expended will count
are very necessary consideration for
lasting results in good read work.
My answer to the first question
would be to put the management un-
der the direction of the township
boards and road supervisors as pro
vided by law. | understand the avail
able funds coming from county, town
ship and city are not sufficient TO do
more than present expenditures, but
that the tax levy can be materially
raised so as to give us much more rev.
enue to work on. | believe the max
imum limit should be used until we
get our roads once in good condition
and repair Possibly we could get
extra donations from farmers in way
of team work on grades and subscrip-
tions from the merchants to buy and
install cement culverts and bridges
and for to buy other materials. This
could be contributed by our people
for one.tenth what they loose in trade
by reason of bad roads
Different Kinds of Bridges.
Fifty years ago we had no bridges
in the west Our roads run from one
town to the next without regard to
section lines usually keeping on the I
high ground and making for some
point on the small stream or river
where il could be forded by driving
across the stream. If too deep TO ford
the usual way across was by a small
ferry operated for pay by the owner
Gradually wooden bridges came into
use which were short-lived and unsafe
and subject TO damage and removal +
by floods and high waters About
twenty-five years ago iron began to be
used in connection with wood and
made a much better material for bridge
purposes. Stone for abutments began
TO take the place of the wooden pile.
Shortly iron entirely superseded wood
and gave MS a very substantial bridge
but of short life on account of rust
and decay. Steel bridges are now
mostly used on concrete abutments +
piers and pilings. Concrete and ce-
ment are gradually supereeding wood
iron and steel in bridge building. Some +
of the finest and best bridges in the
world are entirely of concrete and steel
reinforcement with proper construe
tion this material will last for hun
dreds of years and grow better as
they get older. No up-keep and no re. ]
pair.
What We Need. /,