Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-19
SHOULD SHOULDER A HOE
Former Governor Invites Re.
cruits for His Food Army.
Tells Hearers at Good Roads Luncheon
That There Ii Work Ahead for All
who Cannot Go to the
Front.

Roads luncheon, served in the main
dining room of the Hotel Vermont Fri
day noon, was attended by about ITO, in
GLIDING road commissioners and select
men of this county and a large number
of the business men Of this city. The
luncheon is given annually under the
direction of the Burlington Merchants
association in connection with the better
roads meeting held here under the direc-
tion of the State road commissioner every
spring.
Following lunch there were speeches
by Commissioner Bates, Ex-Governor
Gates. State Engineer Mcintosh and w.
n. Cady. master of the State Grange,
and highway supervisor Of Addison
county. The speakers were introduced by
f. C. Lyon. vice-president of the as
ISOLATION.
Commissioner Bates spoke of the
stimulation which is received in meet
ing of the road men with the business
men Of a community. He pointed out
that each neighborhood had it's in
dividual problems in the perfection of its
roads. While a great amount Of work
was done in Chittenden county last year,
with cooperation by all much can be
done this year. in spite of the war condi-
tons which must affect this work as
well as all other. 1t is the duty of all to
so work that our resources may be con-
served and while the man who goes to
the front Is a hero the man who stays
behind and makes the most of the re-
sources in his hand is equally patriotic.
On account of the war conditions, labor
being exceptionally high as much as has
been hoped for cannot be accomplished
this season. Commissioner Bates asked
that all be considerable.
Mr.. Carpenter, county road commits
sioner, spoke Of the work accomplished
last year and also stated that as much
could not be expected OF the road men
the coming season. Last year over 900
was spent on road construction over a
, distance Of eleven miles Over $4,000 was
spent on re-surfacing over a stretch Of 81
| miles. Seven villages oiled their roads,
nine bridges were constructed and there
| were eight patrol routes covering So
miles 1t is hoped that the patrol area
may be doubled another year. In all owe,
$4,000 was spent on the roads Of Chit
tenden county last year.
State Engineer II. M. Mcintosh, who
has been connected with road work for
the past % years. stated that Is years
ago he could tell just how any sort OF
road construction should be carried on
but that to-day he knew much less about
the subject of road building Conditions
have changed so rapidly that now it is
a serious problem how to maintain and
construct roads. However. we will get
along just as fast in the right direction
IL We look at the bright side and in
stead of pointing out the worst places
in the road call attention to the good
places and work to the end that the bad
places will be repaired.
Mr. Cady spoke of his appreciation at
being called upon to represent the Grange
which stands for everything which tends
to build up the State and which is back
of every effort in road work. The great
problem OF to-day Is how the farmers
can produce more, and the transporta-
| ton of their products, affected by the
condition Of roads. is very important
one. All should join hands and. while
working for Chittenden county and Yer.
mont. perform their best efforts for theil
| country
Ex-Governor Gates, chairman Of the
State food production and conservation
committee, and who has always been
deeply interested in Vermont highways
stated that he realized the difficulties OF
| this year. But no system of roads In
the world is perfect. 1t is easy to think
others have better plan for road work
but the little system Of Vermont can b,
stopped at any time when somethin,
better is found and We are getting tn,
benefit of the work done in the meantime
The Burlington Merchants association
was the first to inaugurate the good
roads luncheon held in connection with
the yearly meeting Of the road men OF
this county. Other cities have fallen into