American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-12-16

Government Estimates Nearly Half Of
the Cost Of Hauling Due 20 Poor
Roads-Farmers Are the Sufferers.

United States, most of whom raise
something for market. They have
been described by DIR. T. N. Carver,
the Harvard University expert in
economics who was engaged last
year by the department Of agricul-
ture to draw plans for the organiza-
ton Of a rural community, as ITEM
peramentally IN independent, head
strong. individualistic class, and,
therefore, difficult to organize" That
they are difficult to organize" Is
evidenced by the fact that there are
1000, 900 miles Of unimproved pub
lie roads In the United States over
which they haul their products to
market at a loss OF approximately
$500. 900 900 every year, or about the
total assessed value OF property, real
and personal, In South Carolina.
That they are Independent" Of
good roads to their own great loss
Is evidenced by the enormous waste
OF both money and muscle In trying
to do business without good roads,
and their apparent lack OF interest
In compelling their representatives In
legislatures and congress to provide
highways for their service.
Good roads are equally necessary
to both the production and distribu-
ton OF farm products They are
prerequisite" says Mr.. Houston, sec
rotary of agriculture, In his last an.
nual report, mot only to economical
production and distribution, but to the
promotion OF the broader life of com
mnuities. The great need. obviously, IL
for roads which will get farm products
10 the nearest railway station, enah-
ling the farmer to haul when he can
not SOW or reap. and to haul Mt a low
err rate. to transport his children to
consolidated schools, and to enjoy
comfortably his social enterprises"
There can be. indeed, no such thing
as community life without good roads.
To assure such life. there must be
ease OF communication and transpor-
tation. and. al DR., Carver expressed
II, "as the characteristic evils OF urban
life grow out OF coppes'as~-A3da-ihe
out OF isorre4 means sfagnation."
souls. isolation m~esscnools are better
-~vuntry schools because the
means OF transportation, or the streets
ana roads. are better In the towns than
IN the country. Men are ~gregarious
and they cannot herd topetbe-
or IN the country as readily as In he
and In many parts of the country
during a large part OF the year, and
me part when there is the least for
mem to do on the farm, they can not
ierd at all because OF impassable
Dads. On the so-called great highway
between Washington and Richmond
here Is a stretch OF about fifteen miles
n which In the fall and winter. farm
'agcns and automobiles sink TO ,ha
IDS and traffic is practically impos-
ME- and this highway between the
No capitols must be Judged by the
and not the hard spots. In re-
IONS wher the roads have been i'm
roVed the farmers are the most pros
n community life has been
~'veloped.
where the roads have no been
'proved. the schools, the churches
"a all other civilizing agencies have
n down, The schools. the churches
Q merchants. the farmers In the
untry cannot prosper without good
q 9 J. IL. Pennypacker, chief OF
economies. U. s. office of public |
aus, has reckoned that "our annual /
! TOR hauling over the public roads
nearly $3.50. 900. 0o0," the half of |
Ion immense cost may be charged to
farmers. The cost OF hauling owe,
average public roads OF the coun.
Is about 20 cents per ton per mile;
cost OF hauling over hard surfaced
ds Ia about Is cents per ton a mil,
10 constructive agricultural pro.
m rs Secretary Houston has EN-.
sized, Is possible which does not
vide for distribution as well as pro-
ton, and there can be no economic
without improved high
~; highways built OF sound mater
under competent supervisions as
lns IN a well ordered system with
} regard to the traffic to be devel-
J and the communities, with their
Gus business and social activities
; served, There must be business
Grafton among the farming units"
cannot be without good roads
VIII bring the farming units to-
or. The problems OF distribution
marketing mus. be solved, and
can be solved to the .dvantage Of
ers particularly enc 20 lhe whole
Q as well. only With improved pub
shways. There must be coopera-
lmong the farmers.
MIN the last few years there have
formed twelve or fifteen thou