Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-09-20
MILLIONS SAVED
BY GOOD ROADS
Better Highways Gan Accom-
pIish Still More.
TO INCREASE FARM VALUES.

Bad Roads Increase the High Cost Of
LivinG-eettsr Highways Would Ae-
eompIish Great Savings In the Cost
Of Handling Freight and In Many
Other Ways.
In a recent address before the Ma
tional Highways association its presi-
dent. Charles Henry Davis, C. E., said
In part:
The problem OF roads Is an old one
1t has been one Of our great national
problems ever since we have been a
nation and have had national prob
lens. 1t Is fundamental contributing
cause for many other social Ills besides
the high cost Of living. And during re-
cent years the nation-all the people
has been coming to a greater and
greater realization of the problem I'M
til now the cry from east to west and
north TO south Is for good roads every
where"
II has been estimated that more than
5o0o.ooo.ono tons of freight per anuum
pass over all the highways o. this ccun-
try. 1t Is also estimated that the aver
age haul is little under ten miles
and that The cost Is about - cents per
ton mile. This cost should not exceed
s cents per ton mile on good road In
other words. at least $50 should be
saved on every ton moved on our high
T-t,. tf,<> ta$,1 50 x-tvsv Fvs,y,S sr,,<uJ
roads staggers the imagination.
Seven and half billions Of dollars
per annum! This would build fifteen
Panama canals year or 1890 dread
naughts a year. It would build all OF
the 10000 miles Of railroads In the
United States In a period OF three
years. II represents one-Quarter OF the
entire annual wealth produced by this
great nation.
This Is no raying Of the Imagination.
II Is no Wild theory. It Is based on
cold. hard facts.
Let US look Mt anosher phase of the
situation. The value of farm real es-
tate and buildings Ia s35.00o.Oo.000
for the United States. Two million
miles Of improved highways will IN
crease land values s10.000.OOo.O0o or
approximately an Increase Of one-third
above present values. Does this indi-
cate we cannot afford TO improve our
roads? There are 6.500,O00 farms.
This means that the average increase
OF value for each farm would be
$500. At 500 year per farm We
would have a sum Of $3.50. 000. 900 per
annum with which to improve our
highways This would build 10000
miles year at 5000 mile or less
than twenty years within which to
improve all our highways In this
time they would many times pay for
themselves In savings and in increased
land values.
Still another view: There are about
100000 automobiles In the United
States. Estimating an average OF
twenty-five miles day for 300 work
ing days we get mileage Of 1900
10000 per annum. At Is cents a
mile operating expenses the total ex-
ceeds $1.OO0.OO0000 a year-a goodly
sum. WIN not good roads save 10 per
cent Of this? We think more-much
more. This means not less than $1OO.-
100000 per annum saving.
There are 2T.O00.O00 horses. mules.
etc. and more than 100000 horse
drawn vehicles in the United States.
more than 100000 bicycles and more
than 10000 motorcycles These. with
the automobiles. are valued at more
than $1,000. 100000. II from good roads
only 10 pcr cent in depreciation per
the enormous sum Of S500.000000
every year. How long would 1t take
us TO give our great country good roads
from north to south and east to west
out of such savingsf
Public spirit Is awakening to these
facts. This Is evidenced by some fifty
major good roads or allied associations.
800 state and local organizations and
an equal number of automobile clubs
devoting most of their activities to the
movement Much hard work has been
done which deserves much credit But
what has been accomplished? What
plans have been advanced. and what
really effective work has been done?
Public spirit Is slow-wavering-in
its movement II not guided by a shin
Ing beacon light of fearless leader
ship. We need to crystalline sentiment.
We need action. Each year lost means
millions OF dollars wasted. We need a
Plan to follow. and public sentiment
will push il along.