Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-11-06
Maintenance of Public RO0ds.
From Southern Good Roads

IphffDs VI lHC pt4bAlC lNdNo - ~
ginning to be appreciated in this
country, and the Importance of
proper maintenance cannot be over
estimated. We are constantly hav-
ing the roads of this country com
pared to those Of European cOun-
tries, only to find that ours are
reported to be very inferior. 1t is
the opinion Of engineers who have
examined the roads of the various
European countries that our pub.
lie roads, when newly completed,
are in every way equal to, or bet
ter than, the European roads; but
the European countries have for
some time fully appreciated the
Importance of maintenance while
we have not, the result being that
our roads remain good for a few
months and then begin to deterio-
rate very rapidly without our TAX
ing any steps to properly maintain
them. On the other hand, the
European countries have a system
attic and efficient method of main
tenance which begins as soon as
the road is constructed, and they
are kept constantly in good repair.
There is no question but that
the neglect of maintenance in
creases the amount of deterlora-
ton out of all proportion to the
time involved, and, therefore, con-
stantly increases the cost of re
pairs.
No one would expect any build
ing, no matter how well or poorly
constructed, to remain in good
condition without being repaired,
and it is also known that the
cheaper the construction, the more
expensive the proportional repair
work. 1t is the same way with
the public road, No matter how
it is constructed, or with what
material it may be surfaced, it
constantly needs repair, and the
cheapest and most efficient method
is to begin the repair work just
as soon as the road begins to de
teriorate.
There is too much tendency to
utilize all available funds for con-
sttuction work, leaving the roads
already constructed to shift for
themselves. This is a w~asteful and
expensive policy, and is in many
sections retarding good roads con
struction. Provision should be
made for the upkeep of road just
as soon as the road is completed.
and the funds provided for this
maintenance should not be allow
ed to be used for any other pur-
pose.
Maintenance is, perhaps, the
hardest problem that has to be
solved at the present time in con
nection with public road work,
and upon it's solution depends the
success or failure of the road work
in many sections of this country.
1t must be confessed that the
japanese practice as to merchant
vessels of a country at war with
Japan is more humane than that
of European nations, as exhibited
in the present war. Attention is
called to Japau's attitude in the
var with Germany. Instead of
instant seizure of German vessels
in port at the first declaration of
war, it was decreed that they might
proceed with unloading and might
take on new cargo not contraband
of war and sail unframed at any
time inside of three weeks. Yes.
sells arriving with masters ignorant
of the declaration of hostilities
might do the same within two
weeks. Clauses relatives to car.
goes were dealt with in the same
wholly benevolent way. Japan is
determined not to take one side
only of tie benefits of our civiliza.
ton, but to act kindly toward
those whom war has thrown upon
her mercy.-Mobile Register.
The significant feature of the re.
port Of Cotton pinned hN tho Miss i.