Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-21
GOOD ROADS MEAN EVERYTHING.

The peope OF the country as whole
have never yet come to realize the
full import and meaning of good
roads. They are beyond question the
greatest factor in the entire economic
scheme of our government, and are
vitality connected with the prosperity,
the convenience and happiness OF the
people. The following discussion Of
the good roads problem by the Austin
American will no doubt prove to he
Of great interest to the readers Of The
Eagle, particularly as we are Just be-
ginning the construction Of good
roads in Brazos county:
Good roads is the cry throughout
the land. The question is one Of the
biggest before the whole people today.
The advent of the American army in
Mexico brought to the notice Of the
people Of this country the possibility
Of the motor truck solving the trans.
portation problem. A threatened
strike Of railway employees but accen.
tuates this.
with the coming of the automo.
mile, and later the motor truck, there
came also a demand for good roads.
The highways Of the country. running
as they do through the farming Sec
lions. had ever been the care OF the
citizen residing in the country. His
fellow citizen in the towns and cities
had only been indirectly interested
that Is. he did not think OF being in.
terested. but he was. When he be.
came the owner OF an automobile the
countryside attracted him. He found
the roads In such condition that his
automobile was OF but little use "a
him other than to ride around the
streets.
Agitation for better roads began al
once. The idea grew as II met with
the Endorsement of the farmer and
the stockman. residing days ride on
horseback or IN a blackboard to the
county town. The farmer was willing
to be assessed for good roads. for he.
too, caught the automobile fever.
Time was the essence OF Il: then
came the expense OF wear and tear
on teams and vehicles. and II was
soon found that the automobile en-.
tered into the economic problem with
favor.
Country precincts took II up. Then
the counties. the states and now the
nation. There Is no doubt but that
the motor truck is going to solve the
many transportation problems which
have worried railway commissioners.
legislatures and the National Con.
gress.
$50 far has the country already
progressed IN road building that In
case OF n war on the border. the In.
vasion Of the country by an alien
army and In case Of the railways OF
the country being for any reason un
able to move armies. munitions sup
piles OF all kinds for the maintenance
Of the soldiers. the motor truck could
now make Its way over thousands ol
miles Of good roads and with dis
patch equal almost to that OF the rail
roads.
"Transcontinental highways are be
ing constructed. Permanent road
are being built In the most isolated
spots wherein they make conncctin,
links for the highways going som,
place" The spirit OF road buIldin,
has invaded every section. II Ia In
deed a benighted locality where
bond Issue for the building Of roo,
roads n opposed by the taxpayer.
Conventions and meetings In fur
therance Of good road building ar,
attracting the attention and attend
ance Of the best men Of the entir,
country. Congress has needed tn
call and has made large appropris
tion 70 assist the several states In tn
establishment Of permanent roads.
farming communities are bcin
benefited BY the building Of goo
roads and the automobile makes pos
sible the prompt marketing Of tn
products Of the farm at the minimum
Of expense. Chickens do not gro,
old and buttes and esss become stall
lying IN freight depots waiting 70