Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1916-05-17
WINS TRIP TO STATE FAIR.
Winneshiek Boy Wins First Prize
i'm Essay on Good Roads.

| w. II. Eule, Tue SiAlGeH year Ola
son of Rev. and Mrs. Edie, of Burr
Oak, has won a trip to the Iowa state
fair this fall, and will have all his
expenses paid, having won first prize
On an article entitled, 1.-The advanta-
ges of Good Roads to the Iowa Far
mer." Following is what the boy
Submitted
| The advantage of good roads are
VERY numerous. Good roads would
bring rural communities in closer
touch with the city, with its social
and educational advantages, and also
the quickening powers of its CONNER
cial activities. They would encour-
age centralized schools because the
chief argument against such schools
is the difficulty Of transportation
over poor roads.
With good roads the farmer is en-
abled to market his produce in much
shorter time and in better conditions.
Instead of taking a day off during
the busy season to go to town as is
necessary with poor roads, he may
go in an afternoon or, if he owns a
Ford or an automobile he could go
during the noon hour or after the
days work is done, thus saving &
great deal of time, and time is mo-
ney
| With good roads the farmer would
| be enabled to take advantage of the
best market at any season of the
year, and also be able to market his
produce at season of the year when
| he has more leisure from his crop.
With poor roads he would market his
produce when the condition of the
roads permitted which might force
him on bad market conditions
Improving the roads has tenden-
cy to inspire the slothful farmer to
clean up and improve his farm and
give him high ideals. 1t lifts the So
cial life of the state TO a higher plane.
IT. adds beauty to the country
| The worlds history has demon
strated that the nations which have
been most active in their intercourse
with the other countries were the
farthest advanced in the civilization,
while China is an example of ma
ton which refused. until recently, to
have intercourse with other coun-
lIiiCo, OilC COuoC4ucLlty 10 ldT Dcniilu
| in civilization. This same principle
holds good in district having poor
roads. Poor roads discourage travel,
which is necessary for people to min
gle. Some small towns in Iowa are
forty years behind the times, more or
less because of poor roads which dis
courage immigration and which af-
fford poor connection with the larger
cities.
Farmers owning automobiles who
wish to take pleasure or business
trips are unable to do so, on poor
roads, unless the weather conditions
are favorable, while with good roads
he would be able to make it at almost
any time of the year.
The life of person suffering from
sudden accident or sickness may be
saved if the roads are in good con-
dition so the doctor may come imme-
diately or so the patient may be TAX
en9 to hospital quickly.
The farmer saves time and money
during harvesting or threShing time.
Ii piece of machinery breaks down,
with good roads he may drive to town
in short time and set repairs, while
with poor roads he might be forced
to postpone his harvesting and in the
meantime the crop might be spoiled.
Good roads add to the health, COM
fort, happiness, intelligence and to
every phase of life and also adds to
the beauty of the State in general"
Next week we will print the essay
written by a SON of Rev. H. P. Nichol-
son and wife, of Military township,
which won second prize.