Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-10-13
GOOD ROADS.

of good roads for Ottawa and La Sall'
County.
In the past there has been some OF
position to such projects BY persons
who were unable to see into the fl
ture. In many communities such i'm
proyemcnts were often blocked by mer
to whom moderate tax obscured tu
ture benefits.
Ten years ago this work was largely
up to the disposal Of the mdividuale
directly interested The business men
of the cities who derived their In
comes to a large extent from the sur
rounding districts realized the value
of improved highways and the added
business they would bring
As result the city man was an
ardent supporter of good roads The
farmer, however, at that time either
could not see or refused to see where
by he would benefit by such scheme.
He objected to it on the ground that
it would add to his taxes and that it
was a measure that would be OF more
benefit to his city brother than re
himsel,
The city man had his automobile.
He wanted smooth, well kept roads SO
that he could take pleasure Jaunts in
the country without experiencing dis
comfort, and he wanted the farmer to
pay for It.
The farmer did not have aut0mo-
biles in those days, and besides they
frightened his horses. That was an
other reason why he didn't want the
roads improved Improved roads
meant more motors for him to contend
with As a result, when the PROPOSE
tion was brought up at election the
farmer voted it down.
But now all is changed, as Ottawa
good roads boosters told them ii would
be when the county bond issue was
proposed and defeated,
rural districts in proportion to the
population than there are in the cities
Scientific farming has opened the
farmers eyes. He has learned the
value OF efficient machinery and OF
system in running his farm.
There have been many wonderful
changes for advancement during the
past ten years, but perhaps the most
notable is the changed attitude Of this
farmer toward the world in general
What new clothing, clean linen. z
bath. shave and haircut do for :
man who was shabby and unkempt
education by the government and az
ricnIturai schools along farming lines
has done for the farmer.
Good roads means to him increased
efficiency in production and cheape
production 1t means more money il
his pocket and not an added burden
in taxation. He does not see it as al
advantage for the exclusive use 0
his city brothers pleasure. Tit
farmer is the greatest advocate 70
good roads that there is in the couutr
today
But the change came gradually
The city merchant and the automC
bile enthusiast were the pioneers il
the fight for good roads. 1t was thel
taken up by county organizations an
the state. The government had Ion
advocated such steps, but it has bee1
only within the last decade that tn
federal powers entered into the sirua
gle with legislation and money to bac
their steps,
To-day one may 30 from one end c
the country TO the other and find hin
self on broad well kept highways tina
are mapped and known universally.
The farmer has been made int
pendent Of the railroads TO a great @.
tent, He is able to transport his pr
duCe to the city and dispose of 1t hir
self, thus eliminating freight rates an
the middleman's profits. It saves hi
money and 1t saves the consum,
money,
In addition to that the improve
highways have broken down the isol
ton that has surrounded the iarmt
for centuries. He can now 20 to II
thcater, political meetings, concer
and take advantage Of any 9th
pleasures that the city may afford.
short, they are to him the "Opt
sesame" to Il new, more proSDero
and happier existence.
Good roads. We need more Of thu
yet!
BE booster!