The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-11-07
THE VALUE OF GOOD ROADS.
Article by E. C. 1%ssenhuth, Chairman
of the State Highway Commission.


Much can be said in favor of having
good roads on the grounds of econ
omy, commerce, education, social well
fare, transportation facilities, and en-
hancement of farm values. A splen-
did chapter could be written on each
of these topics. Even the religious
side a be we'll taken care of with
points proper for a A word
and an act for good roads is a boost
for each of the above subjects.
In this article we shall deal with
the financial phase. the last to be ad-
mitted by those who object to road
building. When all other arguments
are conceded by them but this, they
say it costs toe much" This is the
false position behind which these men
fortify themselves at a time when
help is needed. Yet the road tax is
the cheapest of all taxes paid.
Most of us native born were reared
in a generation when we didn't know
what a good road looked like. We
haven't grown up with good roads;
therefore, we take to heart rather
slowly the lessons of our wiser coun-
trymen of Europe. where good roads
are in evidence everywhere. Some OF
our states are emulating the old coun-
try by investing as high as fifty mil
lions in a period of two years, as
state aid. South Dakota has never
given state aid.
Our road laws in South Dakota are
good enough when there is a willing
else it are usually not in favor of do
ing as much as the law does author
iZe. We are glad to see that in some
places an awakening public became
impatient and did more than the law
called for. adding to it by organizing
road bees. going out with shovels and
teams to work on the roads. If the
cash is not provided for the cause OF
good roads. then let at least a pair OF
willing hands join in an effort to
pillow and grade a badly needed stretch
of road. Such results are surprising.
People are becoming students OF
economy. 1t is not fair to say that
they do not think of their finances. We
as a state are learning that true econ
omy and the wise expenditure OF
money are IN and the same thing.
The word economy is eliminated from
discussion when a man insists that he
is in favor of economy and not in favor
Of road Improvement.
Misnamed economy results in
Penny wise and pound foolish" posi-
tions in finance. 1t exists not only as
effecting good roads. but in other
walks of life. The stockholders of a
railroad company a few years ago op-
posed its officers who recommended a
half million for ballasting and imprOv-
ing their tracks. They voted mo" be-
cause it would cut down their divi-
dends. In less than six months the
rails spread. a passenger train was
wrecked, killing fifty people. They
paid the half million in repairs and
damages and still had the old tracks.
Poor business, we think. Every citi-
zen is a stakeholder in our common
wealth, and as such has a responsible
ity resting on his shoulders. We can
afford to vote ives" when the money
invested ultimately insures comfort.
protection, and economy for all the
people.
We give below a complete list OF
Counties. showing the amount levied
by the County Commissioners for
county road fund according to the law
A. - a.Nnrlal ~ 1011 IT ic Ocafifv.
ing to note the increase, the total be-
ing FIVE times greater than the amount
expended by counties in 1913. Only
seven counties made no levy.
Aurora, s5,167; Beadle, $1,000: Ben.
net, $4,000; Bon Homme, s22,12s;
Bookings. s1,466; Brown. s2S.6s7:
1924; Buffalo, S1,373; Butte,
$14,eS1; Campbell, s3.s72: Charles
Mix. sl4.037; Clark. s5161; Clay.
1882; Codington. no levy; Cor
son, s11,3O7: Custer. s6,662; Davi-
son, s12,219: Day, s13,500; Deuel., &c.
900: Dewey. $4,000; Douglas, $4,000;
$1,000; Fall River, sS.951;
Faulk. S2.165: Grant, no levy; Greg
DRY, *$14 900; Hamlin, no levy: Hand.
$500; Hanson. 4,140; Harding, Isl, 900;
Hughes, $7,657; Hutchinson, *$21,303;
Hyde, s472; Jerauld. $4,566; Kings
bury, $4,000; Lake, $4,000; Lawrence,
$4,000: Lincoln, no levy; Lyman, 1872
900; McCook. $4,000; Mcpherson, ST.
935: Marshall. $4,23O; Meade, $4,000;
Mellette, no levy; Miner. $500; Min
nehaha, $4,000; Moody, no levy; Pen
nington. $2S, 0O2; Perkins, *s3,512; Pot
ter, $4,000: Roberts, 1876; Sanborn.
s31, S3S; Sphinx, nc levy; Stanley. $23,-
299: Sully, s6.4S5; Trip. $14,7O5:
Turner, no levy; Union. 100000; Wal
worth, $4,000: Yankton. $4,000; lie
bach, 5000. Total s561.622.
+Road fund estimated from COM
bined levy for road and bridges.
In addition to the above levies by
counties, the total of cash and work
donated as last year in various COM
munities. and the levies by various
of every county in the state
for road maintenance. together with
the auto tax, will, roughly estimated,
make up another half million. A fair
start with over a cool million for road