The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-08-24
MILLIONS SAVED
BY GOOD ROADS
Better Highways Can Accom-
pIlsh stu More.
TO INCREASE FARM VALUES.

Bed Roads Increase the High Cost Of
Livine-Bsttsr Highways Would 40
oompIlsh Great Savings In the Cost
Of Handling Freight and In Many
Other Ways.
In q recent address before the Ma
tionnl Highways association its presi-
dent. Charles Henry Davis, Q. H.. said
In part:
The problem Of roads In an old one.
II has been one Of our great national
problems ever since we have been a
nation and have had national prob
lens. II 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 10 n greater and
greater realization Of the problem I'M
Ill now the cry from east to west and
north to south Ii for good roads every
where"
II has been estimated that more than
5.0O0.OO0.000 tons OF freight per annum
pass over all the highways Of this ceun-
try. II Is also estimated that the aver
age haul Is little under ten miles
and that the cost IL about % cents per
ton mile. This cost should not exceed
8 cents per ton mile on a good road. In
other words, at least $50 should DO
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 annuml This would build fifteen
Panama canals a year or 1900 dread
naughts q year. II 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 raving of the imagination.
II In no Wild theory. II Is based on
cold. hard facts.
let US look at another phase OF the
situation. The value OF farm real es-
tate and buildings Ii $4,000. CO., 600
for the United States. Two million
miles Of improved highways will In
crease land values 100000 100000 or
approximately an increase Of one-third
above present values Does this indi-
cate we cannot AFFORD TO improve our
roadsf There are 6.50O.000 farms.
This means that the average increase
OF value for each farm would be
"a n
would have a sum Of $65OOo0,Oo0 per
annum with which 10 Improve our
highways. This would build 10000
miles a year at 5000 a 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 ave miles a day for 800 work
Ing days we get a mileage OF 1900
100000 per annum. At Is cents n
mile operating expenses the total ex-
ceeds s1.OO0.OO0.O00 year-a goodly
sum. VIII not good roads save 10 per
cent OF thlsi We think more-much
more. This means not less than $780,
100000 per annum saving.
There are 27.O00.OOO horses. mules.
etc. and more than 100000 horse
drawn vehicles In the United States,
more than 100000 bicycles and more
than 100000 motorcycles. These, with
the automobiles. are valued at more
than S5.OO0OOO.OO0. II from good roads
only 10 per cent In depreciation per
annum were saved II would amount TO
the enormous sum OF S5OOOOO,0OO
every year. How long would II 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 10 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 20 the
movement. Much hard work has been
done which deserves much credit. But
what has been Accomplishment What
plans have been advanced. and what
really effective work has been donef
Public spirit Is slow-wavering-in
It's movement II not guided by 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 q
plan 10 follow. and public sentiment
will push II along.