Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-10
Tho Ancient Duty OF Good Roads

Tho Ancient Duty Of Good Roads
THE issue OF good roads is founded In re-
ligious principle. Three thousand years
ago, when David was refugee from the
anger Of King Saul, and sought safety with
Achish, King OF Gath, he requited the kind
ness shown him by building good roads in
that nonprogress!ve country, insomuch that
King Achish was wont to inquire OF him
every time he met him, whittier have 70
made road today?"
The question proponnded by Achish in that
remote age is OF greater moment In this
twentieth century than it at that time,
when David laying his plans for becom-
ing the ruler Of Israel. 1t Is religious ques-
tion we'll economic one--for in
the construction OF good roads lies the direct
route to material prosperity and the surest
enlightenment of the people. This is tho
objective OF every religion that rises above
superstition.
A great preacher of the Gospel Of Chris
tianity has said: There can never be any
great common wealth there can never BIO any
great municipality, except there be great
roads leading through them and to them.
An age that has become impatient OF sending
its messages by and has called down
the lightning to carry them will not take
the time and trouble to go anywhere unless
there is a good road to travel" This same
preacher then advises: III that BIO 30, we
may leave off little worry about the golden
streets Of the New Jerusa lem-the Lord will
take care Of them; but He has given us the
sighted roads OF earth for our job" Isaiah,
one OF the most courageous and progressive
OF 1srael's teachers, in stressing the office
of the ministers in the upbuilding of the M
ton, said: Prepare ye the way OF the peo-
pie; cast up, cast up the highway; gather
for fho
people"
For this generation Of Yirginians let the
standard be raised. and on 1t let there be
emblazoned the words fundamental to prog
ress. Good Roads for Virginia." Roads
have developed with commerce and travel,
and particularly with war, conquest and
military control OF distant countries, as much
as growing intelligence abhors wars and plans
to put an end to them. Savagery stays in
the Jungles and travels it's crss-crossed paths,
but civilization has journeyed to the uplands,
and its progress is marked by good roads.
Civilization must build more and moro good
roads, II ii hopes to continue to make
progress.
The ancents appreciated the value OF good
roads, and those nations which directed their
energies thereto progressed the most Strabo
mentions three great highways running out
from ancient Babylon. The earliest syste-
AialiC is credited to the Cartha-
ginans. but the great road builders OF olden
times were the Romans. The Appian Way.
begun by Appius Claudius, B. G. 312, appears
to have been the earliest notable piece of
permanent road work That great highway
enoures 10 this day. In general. Roman
roads were built in straight lines. regardless
or ordinary grades, and were paved to
great depth, the several layers of stone and
concrete sometimes aggregating three feet
in thickness. The Romans built their roads
with slave labor. but without slaves the In
Tention and use OF modern machinery has
augmented our road building power more
than thousand times to the human unit
France appears to have been the leader in
modern road construction, but 1t soon was
surpassed by England. and gave up its own
for the English macadam system OF road
improvements.
Recent statistics show something over
2,500.000 miles Of public highways in the
United States. Virginia has a public rural
road mileage OF 53,3SS, and total of State
aid roads built to January 1, 1918 of 4es6
miles. and surfaced roads totaling 5000
miles. There has been expended from all
sources In road building in the State since
1913, s4.136.77s, OF which the total Of State
funds expended has been s3,961,245. In
1917 the State built 523 miles and recon-
structed 129 miles.
Thus, we see the problem that presses
upon us for solution, and that it NAV be
rightly solved, duty calls to every virginian
to enlist his influence and effort in support
of the cause OF good roads under full assur-
ance"of Divine sanction and intent. With the
gospel OF good roads steadily preached, the
time ought soon to be when the question
which Achish asked of David whittier have
we made road today?" will be repeated daily
in every county and precinct OF our glorious
Commonwealth.
Three Months Not Enough