Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1916-09-08
MILLIONS SAVED
BY GOOD ROADS
Better Highways Gan Accom-
pIiSh Still More.
TO INCREASE FARM VALUES.

Bad Roads Increase the High Cost Of
Livins-Better Highways Would Ae,
compIish Great Savings In the Cost
of Handling Freight and In Many
Other Ways.
In recent address before the Ma
tional Highways association its presi-
dent, Charles Henry Davis, G. D., 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 q
nation and have had national prob
lens. 1t Is a 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 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"
1t has been estimated that more than
5,000,000,000 tons of freight per annum
pass over all the highways of this coun-
trys It is also estimated that the aver
age haul is a little under ten miles
and that the cost is about % cents per
ton mile. This cost should not exceed
Scents per ton mile on good road. In
other words, at least $1.50 should be
saved on every ton moved on our high
ways. Thus the total saving from good
roads staggers the imagination.
Seven and a half billions Of dollars
per annum This would build fifteen
Panama canals year or 1900 dread
naughts year. 1t would build all Of
the 100000 miles of railroads in the
United States in period Of three
years. 1t represents one-quarter of the
entire annual wealth produced by this
great nation.
This is no raving Of the Imagination.
1t is no wild theory. 1t is based on
cold, hard facts.
Let us look at another phase of the
situation. The value of farm real es-
tate and buildings is $35,OO0,OOO,OOO
for the United States. Two million
miles of improved highways will in
crease land values $10,000,O 100000 or
approximately an increase of one-third
above present values Does this indi-
cate we cannot afford to improve our
roads? There are 100000 farms
This means that the average increase
of value for each farm would be
$1,000. At 500 year per farm we
would have a sum of $650OOO,O0D pei
annum with which to improve oul
highways. This would build 100000
miles a year at $4,000 mile or less
than twenty years within which tc
improve all our highways. In this
time they would many times pay fol
themselves in savings and in increased
land values.
Still another view: There are about
100000 automobiles in the UniteC
States. Estimating an average o.
twenty-five miles a day for 300 work
ing days we get a mileage of 1900,
100000 per annum. At 10 cents
mile operating expenses the total ex
ceeds S1,OO0,OOO,000 a year-a goodly
sum. VIII not good roads save 10 pei
cent of this? We think more-mucI
more. This means not less than 500,
100000 per annum saving.
There are 2700O,000 horses, mules
etc, and more than 100000 horse
drawn vehicles in the United States
more than 100000 bicycles and more
than 100000 motorcycles These, will
the automobiles, are valued at more
than S., 600 100000. If from good roads
onlv 10 per cent in depreciation pei
annum were saved it would amount tt
the enormous sum of $500OOO,0O'
every year. How long would it talk
us to give our great country good roads
from north to south and east to ives
out of such savings!
Public spirit is awakening to thes'
facts. This is evidenced by some tift!
major good roads or allied associations
500 state and local organizations ant
an equal number of automobile club
devoting most of their activities to tn
movement. Much hard work has beer
done which deserves much credit. Blu
what has been accomplished? Wha
plans have been advanced, and wha
really effective work has been done?
Public spirit is slow-wavering-il
its movement if not guided by a shin
ing beacon light Of fearless leader
ship. We need to crystalline sentiment
We need action. Each year lost mean
millions of dollars wasted. We need I
plan to follow, and public sentimen
will push it along.