Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-25
BUILDING THE HIGHWAYS
Former First Deputy Commissioner
GOOD ROADS ARE NECESSARY
a. ~, Ann G.
Commissioner OF Highways O
Discusses Problem.

Last week we quoted President
HW wa. mn ON on road iegislation TO.
FOR discussion than the words Of Pres
ident Wilson. who has slid
1t is perfectly obvious that you
feet net work OF roads throughout the
length and breadth Of this great con-
tinent. before you viii have released
are necessary for every practical as
pect OF our lives. to draw neighbOr-
feeling, 70 create those arteries which
may be compared to the arteries OF
me human bod The blood Of the
concord. unless il can flow in intimate
sympathy"
one OF the greatest economic qucs-
products or the country, Particularly
the food supply. and the freight nigh
way Is going TO help solve that prob
lem; We do not usually think Of New
YORK as a great agricultural state.
yet there are few states in the Union
81 Nc" York. Its great population
OF over loQV0.0G0. more than half l!v-
ing in cities. must secure large part
truck farms. not only the great me-
iropoliis., but buffalo, a city Of more
state and All OF the many other cities,
receive each day a goodly part OF their
food supplies BY motor trucks which
speed IN. over paved roads, from the
surrounding country.
Tells OF stnte system.
The first state system Of about
200 miles. afterwards increased to
10000. and now including ali the coun-
~ systems, embraces the largest mile
ase OF improved roads in any state;
.nd All are. fortunately. ,inaintain.d
by tho state Highway comml ssion.
When counties were charged with the
repair Of roads that had been improved
state aid. it was often painfully APP
4 careless Board of Supervisors,
poor superintendent OF highways, or a
community that took no pride in tbs
roads meant a drop into the mud, or
rough. stony ro,.dways and very like
~. broken springs or aNlcs.
with the building Of real roads. that
could be depended upGn 365 days a
people from all the crowded centers
TO the country. and many thousand Of
families sought relief from congestion
in the towns. TO the greater freedom.
and more healthfu! conditions OF ru
"a! life; not the rural life Of isolation;
We used 10 know. such as may be found
in many other States today, but new
world OF comfort. with permanent
roadways. motor vehicles, telephones.
and cross-road settlements with stores
Buids Up schools.
And how about schools? Perhaps
nothing has ever happened anywhere
N the world that has so stimulated
the building OF good schools. and at
roads, not only in New York. but espe-
cially in the more sparsely settled
Made isi"S West & ,"e Win the certain and
tric, school .'au;obus,' collecting the
fhaTen rc and @ S.STmy Shem fFog
well as in pleasant. and for short dis
,nIces We have many times seen boys
school over concrete pavements on
roller skates.
lines FOR carrying passengers and
freight has. in New York. become SO
great a business that the state has
found il necessary to charter them as
Qlications from persons or compnies
proposing to operate them for, certiti-
suburban railways The income from
these licenses is devoted to maintain
ing the roads. This, new development
IN transportation is by no means con-
fined 10 New York. similar eSpan-
sion has taken place about Kansas
City No and dozens Of other cities
roads have become general and con-
Continuity Most Important.
Continuity is most important. and
ages Of a centralized State system.
nY ny SEonF eomps6sst
and maintenance of the right kind
'and these two words. construction and
together) be secured Main lines.
through routes across State. not for
Getting TO meet With roads Of adjon-
tiers of population. larger cities and
county seats. Secondary lines. which
feed into them. and township or market
roads that lead from farms TO trading
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