Evening journal., 1915-05-20
P. 5. DUPONT Tells
Of ROAD BUILDING
Would Use Entire Width of
Highway Instead OF
Driving in Ruts
MUD SURFACE DOES
MOREHARM THAN GOOD

Pierre S. DUPONT, president OF the
dupont Powder Company, who has
beautiful country place, Pierce's Park,
near Kennett Square, is an ardent
advocate of good roads. He has
written the following letter to the Sec
retary of the West Chester Board of
Trade regarding Good Roads Day.
in Pennsylvania:
Wilmington, Del. May IA, 1915.
"Mr. Fred J. Wahl, West Chester,
Pennsylvania.
Dear SIR l am much in sympathy
with any effort towards the betterment
Of roads, but | do not think the problem
can be solved through intervention of
Good Roads Day. In fact, the authori-
tics should keep our roads in such condi-
tion as would make a Good Roads Day
as unnecessary as is the present, SINH
lar movement to put our railroads in re-
pair. If we picture the condition of al
fairs that would exist were it necessary
for the populace to 20 out and repair
railroads, we realize to what depths we
have-sunk in the care of our public roads,
which are really quite as important as
are the railroads; for every pound OF
freight passing over a railroad must he
transported on a public highway at both
ends of its journey. This is severe mr.
raignnent, is it not But il may he ap-
propriate for the occasion at which we
will all determine TO do better by our
roads
at occurs to me that at this time L
might be well 10 attempt some instruc.
tions as TO the use of the roads Il is
quite important that a stone road should
be used throughout its entire width. II
the center only is used las many arc
inclined to do about eight or twelve
inches of the entire width of twelve 10
eighteen feet are worn of quickly, ne.
cessitating repair of the whole road. A
couple of years ago | made modest at.
tempt TO correct this evil bv PLACING
signs on the roadside at intervals re-
questing vehicles to keep 10 the right. !
was much gratifed with the success of
the effort, though | must confess ] have
not followed mp that success by placing
additional signs, or changing the word
ing so as TO attract attention. Incident
to preservation of the road. keeping to
the right has tendency TO minimize ac-
cidents and expedite travel.
"If the plan is approved I shall ar
range to place additional signs from
Delaware State line through
Fairville,
Mendenhall,
Hamorton,
| Red Lion.
to Kennett and Unionville. As TO the
above mentioned road: II is now in
fair condition, excepting two OF three
rutted places which | am inclined to
attribute to my bad workmanship.
These places l expect TO have re-
paired shortly. They should not exist
in road that has been so recently
resurfaced.
1T would be OF great benefit to the
community II everybody would unite
in an effort TO prevent clay and soil
OF any kind being placed on a stone
road. Every authority on road-mak-
ing agrees that this practice is the
greatest possible evil. The community
would be warranted in imposing a
severe fine on any one throwing
refuse of any description on a stone
road. II is far better to leave the sur
face rough and uncomfortable to the
users OF the road than to attempt re-
pairs by use Of clay. Unfortunately
the road authorities may he criticised
with respect to this form of injury
to stone roads, and I acknowledge
that my own have been guilty of
similar offense; but l have always
insisted that any clay placed on 4
read by my men be removed at once
and think the rule pretty we'll up
held at this time.
81 hope you will pardon this long
letter and accept it as one Of sug.
gestion, rather than criticism. Very
sincerely yours.
PIERRE S. DUPONT"