Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-03-25
BENEFITS FROM
GOOD ROADS GREAT
All the People Gain-City Men and
Farmers Share
Alike

The entire surplus production of
the farm and many of the products
of the forest and mine must first be
hauled over our country roads to the
shipping point The office of public
roads estimates the cost of this haul.
ing at not less than 100000 annual
~. 1t further estimates that improv-
ed roads would reduce this cost one
half: which would result in a saving
of $250,0G0 annually.
Indirect Gain to All People.
While this gain of $250,000 would
be a direct benefit to the farmer, the
lumberman and the mine owner, it
would be an indirect gain to the en-
ss5ql 10 SuIfIIBo 9qJ -sIdo9d am
products to the shipping point is as
much factor in distribution as is
carrying it from the shipping point
to the consumer. The people are
quick to recognize that any increase
in freight rates means an increase
in the price of commodities. but have
failed to realize that the cost of haul
ing to the railway station is equally
factor in their cost and hence in
the cost of living. Freight rates
have been reduced since 1887 nearly
80 per cent. butd uring that time
there has been practically no re-
duction in the cost of highway trans
portation. The reason for this is that
railroads have been constructed and
operated from the standpoint of pay
ing interest and dividends. which has
forced systematic and economic man
agement: whereas our highways, be-
cause of our failure to appreciate
their economic importance, have been
neglected and the limited amount of
work expended upon them has been
unsystematic, uneconomical and with
out satisfactory returns.
Benefit to City Residents.
An indirect benefit of no small con
sequences acerues hereby to the res
ident of the city in the delivery of
the products on the farm and truck
garden direct from producer to con
sumner. This means not only more
palatable food. but food that is more
sanitary as well.
Benefit TO the Farmers Family Edu-
cationally.
The 4inaccessibility of the country
school for several months of the year
due to imDassable roads is one of
the great drawbacks TO country life.
Another drawback is the small school
district supported by a few farmers
and with a small number Of children
and a small assessed valuation from
which to collect taxes for its sup
port. This results in low salaried
cohaa1
with poorer surroundings.
Consolidated School
The solution of this problem lies
in the consolidated rural school. spe-
cializing in the agricultural branches
which win give the pupils an insight
into the problems of the farm and
inspire them with the wonderful op
portunity for the improvement OF
farm life. financially. socially and men
tally. Better roads viii mean more
consolidated schools and larger units
Of consolidation which will give more
funds and greater school facilities
or will mean access TO the city
schools without leaving the farm.
social Advantages.
Again. the farmer will receive d.
rect ebHeft from good roads in the
Increase of social and religious adj
yantages. The lack of these is felt
most keenly by the wife and chill
dren and is often the determining
factor in the decision Of the boy ane
the girl 10 leave the farm. This i
traceably directly to road conditions
which general keep them at home for