New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-11-29
LARGE sums SAVED
BY GOOD HIGHWAY A
~.
EXPERIMENTS MADE IN EIGHT
COUNTIES SHOW WONDERFUL
RESULTS
IMPROVED ROADS BENEFIT TO
FARMERS OF THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS

improvements in roads lin eight
counties in different parts OF the United
States, selected by the Agricultural
Department, resulted in an aggregate
saving to the farmers of those eight
counties, of $627 400. The experiments
and economic studies were made by the
office of public roads and rural engineer
ing.
The counties selected were in the
states of New York, Virginia, Alabama
and Florida. They were chosen be-
cause each had just issued bonds for
road improvements when it was decided
to make the studies, which extended from
1909 to 1915. By this means it was
possible to cover the road improvements
from the outset to completion. r.
Saving is Large
The gross saving in those eight coun-
ties was found to be 17.9 cents ton
mile, while the net saving was found to
be 11.6 cents. The investigators ex-
plain, however, that an actual cash
saving is not indicated except as the
time OF the workers and the use OF the
draft animals and equipment are given
cash values at the rates prevailing In
the several communities.
The amounts expended in the several
counties ranged from 100000 in Din
widdie county, Va, to $1,O31,57S in
Wise county, in the same state.
Spottsylvania county, Va, issued
bonds to the extent of $4,000 and
seventy-six miles of roads were i'm
proved. The loads in an ordinary two
horse wagon increased so much that
the ton-mile cost of hauling dropped
from 80 cents to 1877, effecting a saving
OF 1868 cents. The Investigators claim
the gross total annual saving in the
county is approximately $150,OO0; and
when deductions are made for interest
and maintenance costs, the annual net
saving is $4,000.
Excellent Showing Made
Dinwiddie county, Va, issued bonds
for 100000 and used $4,000 in con-
Wet labor. The improved roads as a
result, total of 1Ol miles, and the county
is saving $124,970 as a result.
Bonds for $364,000 were foated in
Lee county, Va, and the state supplies
labor to the amount of $1,000. Ninety
nine miles of roads were improved and
the farmers are saving $50, 400 annually
by the increased loads they are able to
haul.
In Franklin county, N. Y, 100000
was raised by bonds, 1876 miles Of roads
improved and the annual saving is given
at approximately $4,000. Average
loads increased from 2,40O pounds to
1851 pounds, decreasing the gross cost
a ton-mile from 1913 to SO cents.
Lauderdale county, Miss, issued
100000 in bonds and improved ninety
six miles of roads. The cost of hauling
has dropped from 81 cents to 20 cents
a ton-mile and the county is saving
SAB 400 a year to her citizens who have
loads to haul.
Dallas county Ala, is saving 100000
annually in hauling over her roads by
issuing S366,977 bonds and improving
101 miles of highways.
Average loads increased from 1900
pounds to 1880 pounds in Manatee
county, Fla, by issuing $252,5O0 in
bonds and improving sixty-three miles
of roads. The county is saving 1925
each year by the investment.
County Makes Money
By the issuance Of bonds, State con-
tributions and in other ways ST DBL 78
was raised for road work in Wise county,
Va. Eighty-three miles of road have
been surfaced and sixty-six miles
graded. AS a result the county saves
$4,000 a year by the reduced cost in
hauling over these roads.
The figures are supplied to the Agri
cultural Department by the office of the
public roads and rural engineering. It
is argued that the same results can be
obtained in any part Of the country.
While tests by the department have
not been made by the department in
any of the Minnesota counties, it is ex-
pected just as good showings could be
made here.
In addition to the great saving in
actual cash to the farmers of the terri
tory mentioned, it has been ascertained
that there has has been an increase of
Is per cent in the school attendance in
eight counties mentioned, following the
road improvement. ..
A. Chicago woman is suing for di-
vorce because her husband whips her
twice a day. He ought to be decent
and allow her to win half the bouts. -
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