The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-04-19
GOOD ROADS
BRING MANY
BLESSINGS
Most Democratic in
Distributing Their
Favors
FARMERS ARE WON
TO GOOD ROADS
California Sets Record
in nj a king Road
Appropriations
~ L. J. oLLlER.

CutaPtt daheRoiNea0A' 1890
conditions. and happier homes,
Quick communication ranks as the
great factor In the universal dissem-
nation Of knowledge. Where good
roads abound sectionalism cannot
exist.
The good roads movement owes Us
present Impetus 90 the automobile.
In the years previous TO the advent
Of the gasoline motor as q locomo'
tive proposition farm journals storm
Cd. implored. and bombsrded their
readers with facts and figures. The
cost Of hauling q ton one mile over
the ordinary road and the saving
were that mile OF road improved
we're astounding figures when multi
piled BY the miles Of road in use and
the enormous tonnage. Yet results
we're not IN proportion TO the sgita.
ton and the need. Then came the
Z aufomobile.
Farmers Won Over.
The desire for good roads leading
10 . city that those with automo.
biIes could have greater pleasure.
able touring radius first brought the
matter prominently 10 the fore as a
good roads movement with automo-
bile backing.
Gradually the farmer. antagonlstic
q nrst. began to take an interest.
with good roads and an automobile
lhe could cut down the three-hour
trip to town TO perhaps 30 minutes.
Good roads brought the doctor
quickly--at q time when minutes
were precious. Good roads and an
y automobile took the family TO town
J. A the evening. something unheart
81 before. or 10 visit friend or rela
tire In . distant part OF the country
when farmers learned that othel
farmers were doing these things
that good roads and automobile,
made them possible. then they, too
desired good roads for their own
county.
a BY. means or the telephone and
quick motor truck delivery the farm
~ y now able to top the market. He
en- rush his produce 70 market al
the right moment 10 command tho
best price. But he could not do u
were his roads not well built and In
rood repair. Consequently the farm
er h now most active In the agita
ton for good roads and jealous OF
any legislative power delegated &c
Irresponsible authorities.
oIlinoIs FARMERS Own 100000 Cars
One hundred thousand farmers Of
Illinois now are owner OF motor cars
II 10 easy to see what m Immense
influence their concerted action car
wisld for good roads. While In time
every road should be good road
Z yet al the work cannot be done al
unce. Therefore the authorities who
ere building roads should see that
each one f. linked TO another &c
make continuous highways. The
advantage OF this lies In the fact
that the main arteries OF travel vii
then FIRST receive the attention OF
the good roads builders. II viii also
facilitate touring. In itself a vslua,
Bile asset for any community.
n n interesting 10 note that in
1sf3 Ohio had the largest mileage
II improved roads Of any state In the
union with 2s.312 miles. Indiana
was second and New York third. II
linois was seventh with 1900 miles
While New York can claim the great
ct progress In road building from
1909 TO 1919. having built nearly
10000 miles In that time. Feel that
the work California Is nov doins
probably puts that state in the lead
] have just returned from California
snd am amazed at the wonderful
way In which this state is taking
hold Of good roads work.
Record In California.
Three years ago California appro
printed s1s,ooo,0o0 for good roads
The various counties each appro
priated in addition from $25ooO0 to
33.boo.ooe for the Improvement Of
county roads which are feeders &c
1hs main highways. Los Angeles
county has over 400 niles OF i'm
proved roads. BY September one viii
~ able 10 drive from Los Angeles
. San Francisco BY the coast route
snd return by the valley route over
continuous good roads, boulevard
1000 miles IN length
The same agitation that through,
California it, appropriation for good
roads r. now being waged elsewhert
throughout the west In some place,
sctnal work n in progress. The
state or Utah has passed fsvora bly,
upon an improved road that event
ually win be part OF one ali the way
NON The Yellowstone National psrh
- The Grand canon OF the Colorado
river N Arirons.
N the east New York Il workins
81 ~ food roads plan and am In
>rees>ed N the efforts Illinois IL max
~ = improve ne roads At the pres