The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-10-02
American Road Congress.

American Road Congress.
Regarding the public roads as an
indispensable part OF the transporta-
ton system OF the country, supple-
menting it, railroads and waterways,
President Harrison, or the Southern
Railway Company, takes an active
interest in the good roads movement
III ID Vice-President or the American
Hiehway Association and will be one
Of the speakers at the Fourth Amerl-
can Road Congress In Atlanta, the
week of November 9.
Speaking of the relation OF the
country highways to the railroad,
Mr. Harrison said: Whatever may
w the final destination Of the farm
products, their first movement must
IVY over the country road and Ar the
farmer I'D to receive The largest meas
TIRE Ut benefit from good roads the
policy should be adopted OF improv-
ing those highways which radiate
from market towns and shipping
stations and over which the farmers
must haul their products. The pront
which will be earned by the farmer
may depend largely upon the cond1-
ton of the road from his farm to
shipping station. Statistics compiled
by the VII . Department Of Agrlcul-
ture show that the cost Of hauling
farm products to shipping points
over Bad roads il a disproportionately
laree part Of the total expense III
their transportation to market Iris
is not always fully realized by the
farmer. but if lie will taGe Eto &C
count the time OF himself and his
team, and the wear and tear on his
vehicle and harness made necessary
BY large number Of trips with
smaller loads, liz will find that the
cost mounts lp very fast and oor-
respOndingly reduces hi net profits
Another item of the cost of Dad roads
to the farmer, which j. often over
looked, il that he must haul his pro
ducts to markets when the roads are
not in their best condition with little
regard as to whether prices are raw
orable or whether hauling at that
time interferes with work on the
farm With good roads he can not
only haul heavier loads In shorter
time but, except Al To perishaDle
commodities, he can market HI pro
ducts when prices arr most favorable
and cen do hi hauling when Ar H.
most convenient and even when the
ground Is too wet for work In the
fields.
The manifold advantages of an
improved highway in reducing the
cost of drayage, facilitating social in
tercourse, promoting school and
church attendance, expediting rural
mail delivery, increasing the value Of
farm lands, and promoting agricul-
tural development back from the
railroads are 10 great that they need
but To be enumerated to present
convincing argument i'm favor OF road
Improvement.
'sSince several years ago when the
Southern Railway Company, in con-
junction with the U. S. Agricultural
Department and State and local au-.
thorities, operated over its lines a
good road train, carrying machinery
and lecturers, and building az central
points obiect-lesson roads, there has
been very substantial progress ia the
good roads movement throughout the
South. This was accelerated In ISL
BY the operation of another good
roads train in cooperation with the
u. s. Department of Agriculture and
the American Highway Association.
The interest of the Southern people
in good roads has been thoroughly
aroused and in many localities the
country highways have been highly
improved and are being adequately
maintained.
.-I think it II fortunate for the
South that thu American Road Con
gress vi 1914 il to be held in Atlanta.
This will unquestionably be one OF
the most important gatherings ever
held in the Southern States. 1t will
bring together the official heads OF
the State Highway Departments, the
foremost experts in road construction
and maintenance, and other leaders
in the good roads movement in each
State for an exchange Of ideas as to
the best methods OF financing road
construction and building and main
tanning thu best types Of country
highways. it, exhibits Of road ma
chinery and Of model roads will be
highly educational and it can not but
serve to increase interest in the good
roads movement throughout the
South