The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-30

Colorado over the Golden Belt route,
is of the opinion that it would be pos
sible to have in Kansas roads that
compare favora bly, with those of any
state in the country at compare lively
little cost. As a result of his trip he
was impressed with the possibilities in
good road building.
In spea king of good roads and his
Colorado trip Mr.. Borman said:
lit is my belief that three-fourths of
the total Golden Belt mileage has been
graded from Topeka west to the state
line. This new work is just now not in
good condition because much of it has
had little rain inCe the work was done,
so this part of the road is dusty and
rough. But -5where along the line
county officials are waiting for rain
that they may start the drags and COM
p!ete the surfacing. In Sherman and
Thomas countie: the Golden Belt has
been graded across the entire counties.
The early work has produced a boule-
Vard-a road as easy and safe to travel
as is the best macadam in Shawnee
county There are equally good
stretches in every othe county be-
tween Shawnee and the west line of
the state and other newly worked
stretches will be as good following
rains. Substantial culverts and bridges
have been built and the maintenance
expense will e small after the surface
Is once in condition.
Praised Kansas Roads.
In Denver | met the Indiana auto
mobile manufacturers party and the
members consulted We're enthusiastic
over Kansas dirt roads. They express
ed the wish that Indiana soil might be
conducive to such roads as Kansas has
or can have at so small an expense
Kansas does not need large quantities
of stone and other expensive road
hi al r., lrp MOI
OF her roads good enough y heavy soil,
well drained, and gravel for natural
macadam in the spots lacking in drain
age with proper grading and drag sur
facing. makes Kansas road building
easy.
If Kansas farmers are not interest
ed in good roads, their talk and actions
do not show it. We talked with at
least "a hundred farmers who inquir-
ed how we liked the roads, and each
reassuringly said they would be 100
per cent better next year at this time.
II is our opinion that farmers along
the Golden Belt are proud of the work
accomplished and are interested in
seeing still more done.
Golden Belt Route.
The road is easy to follow, too. and
only al q few turns need the motorist
depend on the marking done. The mo-
ed the roads deserve much credit for
their excellent work. There are a few
points at which commercialism has
gotten the better of good judgment. in
that the road is marked to lead the
tourist few miles out of his way and
of the marked trail, to bring him face
To face with "A garage or gasoline sup
ply tank When gasoline or repairs
are not needed a fellow is provoked
when he finds himself led to a few miles
OF unnecessary travel.
While We are talking about Kan
sas' work on the Golden Belt. we must
not overlook the work done and under
way in Colorado. From Colorado
Springs to the Kansas state line one
half of the mileage is graded and in
good conditiOn-and people along the
line say contracts have been let for
the remaining unworl1ed mileage. The
Colorado folks put it over Kansas
quite bit in building dirt roads In
the letting of the building by contract