St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-04-15

| two points. The distance between
| Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury has
been shortened by the Improvement
of the road and he hoped to see the
same thing accomplished between
here and Wells River. He won
dered why the state money for con
struction work was not expended in
the spring. If the new road was
built early in the season it would
get packed and tirmer for the win
ter. He thought the road men
should have section gangs, patrol
men, the same as the railroads.
e. H. Hallett said there are few
good road builders who have not
been good agriculturists and that
good agriculturists are always in
terested in good road building. He
spoke of the changes he had seen in
the roads of Vermont. Many of the
vacant farm buildings today are de-
serted because they did not have
good roads leading to them. Young
men today seek the most available
places but we should go on improv-
ing the farm roads until every place
is occupied.
T. G. Bronson said the road MAX
ers owed a vote of thanks for en-
tertainment by the st. Johnsbury
business men. This gathering is
in line with the purpose of the Greater
Vermont Association, the getting
together of all classes of business
men and believed st. Johnsbury
would lose nothing by becoming bet
ter acquainted with town officials
outside of the town.
Robert Mackinnon said he had
to know the difference between good
and bad roads. He then spoke of
the roads 40 years ago and present
day conditions. Good roads are of
great Importance to any heavy bus
mess. They will help distribute
business better. In his own business
they had dull months because the
roads were bad at that time. The
cross roads as well as the main
roads should be improved.
Commissioner Gates
State Highway Commissioner
Gates expressed his gratitude to the
Commercial Club for it's hospitality
and compared the sentiment of this
meeting, representing the enthu-
siasm of the road builders and
business men, with those of 10
years ago Wu0u udIu1y duyOu0 SuOW-
ed enthusiasm. This change has
come over the whole state and road
building is being endorsed more
strongly than ever before. Coopera-
ton is being urged on every hand
and fortunately Vermont has a CO.
operative road policy. The state CO.
operates with the town and gives as
much money for road improvement
as the voters of the town ask for
We have a practical referendum on
road work at every March meeting.
and the voters have endorsed the
method of road building. There are
only two towns in Vermont, St.
George and Baltimore, that have
not taken advantage Of state aid.
Our system comes as near the voter
as it is possible to get. Phe net re-
suit is over 1000 miles of improved
roads all over the state rather than
two or three boulevards.
He does not envy the tourists states
which are constructing all their
roads for the benefit of the tourists.
Vermont should spend it's road
money first for the taxpayer and
when they are satisfied the tourists
will come all right. We are working
not only for better roads in Vermont
but better schools, better agriculture
and better business.
At the afternoon session Mr.. Gates
gave illustrations of improvements
made during the past year and gave
further instructions for the coming
seasons work.