The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-04-25
ROAD IMPROVEMENT.

/ ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
Definite advancement In the cause
OF road improvement was made when
the United States Office OF public
roads, after spending several years in
gathering statistics here and abroad,
announced that the average cost OF
marketing farm products over the
roads of this country is % cents per
ton per mile, as against cents per
ton per mile in those European coun-
tries where the roads have been i'm.
proved. The further report that the
average haul here and abroad is about
| the same, nine and four-tenths miles.
brings the matter home to every citi-
zen OF a state, and makes possible
the computation of local wastefulness.
Thirty-three and one-third bushels
of potatoes or wheat make ton. Ac-
cording to the official figures, there
fore, the difference between the cost
/ of marketing that amount of produce
would amount to Is cents per ton per
/ mile, of s141 for the average dis
lance. This amounts to trifle over
IA cents a bushel on wheat and pota-
| toes. and relative amounts on other
products.
| Without improved roads this money
is wasted; sunk in the mud. With
good roads this money is saved and
becomes distributed in the regular
channels of commerce. adding to the
material wealth OF the community,
and the state. and the nation.
In practically every instance where
a good road has been constructed
through a section of country an i'm
mediate Improvement has taken place
ali along the line. Houses, barns and
Iout-buildings have been fixed up and
painted; rickety and unsightly fences
have given place to attractive and
well kept ones rusty and dilapidated
1 farming implements have been re
moved from sight OF the highway;
trees have been trimmed, lawns kept
moved, and the landscape generally
/ frightened up to keep pace with the
spirit of improvement. Schools have
improved because more regular at
! tendance became possible. Crops have
/ increased because of more careful
farming and because OF the accessible
ity OF proper fertilizers. Returns
have improved because of the posi-
bility of marketing products when
prices were favorable instead OF only
when roads were passable.
All these Improvements contribute
to general commercial progress. What
ever adds to the prosperity of the pre-
dominating class in any community
adds to the prosperity OF the COM
munity as whole, and to each OF its
varied interests. and whatever en-
hances the welfare OF communities,
and increases their materiaI wealth,
enhances in similar ratio the welfare
and prosperity OF the state and the
nation.
The logical conclusion is plain.
When the local section, the larger
community, and the state as whole,
all profit by the establishment OF a
public improvement, all should CO.
operate in the payment OF that I'M
, provement. The larger and more com
plete comprehension OF the subject in
cludes the federal government as a
party TO the general plan OF co-opera-
ton.
In good road construction. co7opera-
tion necessarily takes the form of
state aid the state, county and town
. ship each contributing its quota Of the
4 amount as may be provided by law.
Within the last twenty-one years thir-
ty-four Of the forty-eight states Of the
union have adopted this plan in diff
, ferent variations. and the favorable
results, in every case. have been
. tangible and reducibie to figures.
: When one not accustomed to i'm
proved highways travels over the
4 good roads of another state and notes
. the attractive farm houses and well
: Kept farms, and the prosperous and
= up to date villages and cities, he is ex.
= tremely likely to mistake the effect
!. lof the cause. More than one such
: mas been heard to remark that "a
prosperous community like this can
bulld any kind Of a road it wants
=, etc. There was the mistake. 1t was
=, !, the improved roads which made the
- prosperity possible. Before the roads
" We're built such communities were
81 suffering from the same disadyant
- ages OF overwork and under profit
ie that other sections which are without
u good roads are now experiencing. I
e was the Improvement OF the road;
IS which came first. and made the cond,
OF ton Of prosperity possible.
ie The opening of improved roads
RS Wnich state aid makes possible, per
n mits the establishment of new in
n. dustries; the utilization of natural 70