Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-13
COST Of GOOD ROADS
Estimate of WiIIett N. Hays for
National System Huge Sum.
EXCEEDS VALUE OF LAND
Figures of Former Assistant Secre.
tary Of Agriculture Misleading.
Says Good Roads Expert.
EXCEEDS VALUE OF LAND

The estimate of the cost of building
good roads and highways all over this
country is given by the former assistant
secretary of agriculture, Willet M. Hays,
to be So, OO0, 600, 600. and the cost of keep
ing these roads in repair at s., 800. 600. 900
per year. He says the cost would exceed
the actual value of the land and the
farm product together. and that extern
sive road Improvement is impracticable
on the present basis.
THE above estimate is no doubt cor
rect says Robert Albert of 500 18th
street northwest, but somewhat mis-
leading, as no one would think of build
ing new highways and improving present
roads all at one time all over this vast
country. According to the estimate, it
would cost $4,000 to build mile of road
and 81 600 per year to keep 1t in repair.
Such an expense for road improvement
work would scare any taxpayer, but 1t Is
not thought to build new roads and i'm
prove highways all at once; that would
be impractical for reasons stated above.
But as almost every state in the union
is now alive to the Importance of good
roads the improvement of highways is
gradually extended.
THE state of Pennsylvania comes for
ward with the statement that it will
spend $50.OOOoOO on roads; California also
plans to expend $1SOO01OOO; So with
Maryland, Virginia and other states, feel
ing the wave of road Improvement, ap-
preciate 1t as an urgent need.
Fruit Trees at Roadside.
ITO increase the interest of the people
wishing for good roads, new feature
could be introduced which will at once
appeal to every one using the highway,
especially taxpayers, farmers and auto
mobilists, who will take a large share of
interest in this feature as this plan
would be the means of saving millions of
dollars and yet keep the highways in
good repair, and. in fact, would make the
roads self-sustaining, not by tollgates,
ETC., but by planting fruit-bearing trees
on each side of the highway or road,
wherever practical, the trees to he plant
ed by the county, state or federal gov
eminent and to be under the supervision
Of either of these authorities. The trees
can be rented out to parties living in that
section, and the revenues received there
from will exceed in few years the cost
of keeping the roads in first-class condi-
ton. The parties renting the trees, "a
certain section, say one mile. will, of
course, receive larger income from the
fruit.
Estimated Revenue.
ID d IOU5I SSliIidtc vi tIlc
revenue to the state and parties who rent
the trees: One mile, $3.50 feet; trees ten
feet apart, 52S trees on each side Of the
road in single rows; total, 1856 trees to
one mile Double rows on each side,
2112 trees per mile; trees to be rented to
parties at 30 cents per tree: income to
state, 1928 per mile annually for single
rows, and $1.O56 per mile double rows
Parties who rent trees lone mile) Will re-
ceive about 50 for fruit taken from each
tree, or 81 102 per mile, single rows, and
S4,204 per mile, double rows, leaving
nice income to the rentee.
'Some will say that the fruit will be
stolen and eaten by trampS, etc. We shall
look at that in the proper light. When
is the fruit in danger OF being taken by
unauthorized parties? During the ripen-
ing season only, which will extend over
a period of one or two weeks each year
The parties renting the trees can easily
be assisted by the county or state au-
thOrities in protecting against fruit
thieves during that short season; also
will the automobilists become a great
factor in protecting the fruit trees, for
several reasons, knowing that system
of planting and maintaining fruit bear
tanning good roads. This will encourage
the building and keeping in good repair
of more roads, and therefore every auto
mobilist will become interested In this
movement and will add much to prevent
the stealing of fruit Another agreeable
feature is shown in the fact that auto
mobile parties can buy fresh picked
fruit. ripened on the tree and therefore
of superior quality and flavor, such as
cherries. plums. pears, ETC., right on the
spot, not only for immediate consumption
but also for preserving and home use
Mr. Albert has made a close study of
the system outlined above and is deeply
interested in anything pertaining to road
building or the good roads movement.