The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-19


of Mt least $500, 900 10 certain. Town
ships are annually spending about
$4,000, 900 on local roads and counties
are spending about 100000 annually
on market roads. 30 that, coupled with
provincial and Federal appropriations, a
total annual outlay Of $40. 100000 on the
rural roads Of Ontario Is we'll within
the combined financial ability OF the mu-
nicipai and central governments.
Road Improvement will undoubtedly be
facilitated throughout Canada by a re-
cent act Of the Federal Government set
ting apart sac, 100000 in aid Of provin-
cial highway construction. This financial
aid win be made available in proportion
TO population 30 that Ontario will be en-
titled to nearly te,0o0.0 900. conditional
upon provincial expenditure OF slt.ooo,-
600 in the next Ave years.
The Ontario system differs In an Inn
portant respect from that OF the ma
jority Of the American States. A State
as a rule takes over system In short
units for construction, and cannot make
expenditure for repair until after con-
struotion. Under the Ontario method
the council or province designates It's
entire system as a unit and Immediately
becomes responsible for repair and
maintenance. Many portions OF the
provincial highway system were Tor
merly toll or country roads. A moderate
amount spent on substantial repairs will
enable the province to give immediate
service, and It Is anticipated that by
a process Of development and cheap sur
facing the entire system can be brought
into passable condition for through traf-
nc by the end of 1920. More permanent
construction can then follow as required
to meet the needs OF heavy local traf1c.
The American system usually places
emphasis on construction. with mainten-
ance in O secondary position. Ontario
In establishing and placing emphasis on
q general scheme of maintenance for the
roads as they exist, to be thereafter CO.
operative with substantial development
and construction.
At Present . Shortage or Labor.
The improvement Of roads in the
province Is unfortunately handicapped
at the present time by shortage OF
labor. and neither county nor provincial
estimates will be expended this year
unless labor becomes more plentiful
There IL general demand-a great
public sentiment--in favor Of better
roads and a willingness to make ex-
penditure, but all highway authorities
are finding II extremely difficult to OBJ
tain manual workers. particularly in the
vicinity of industrial centres. Never.
theless at the present time fully 5000
men are employed on the leading rura
roads. county and provincial
Ontario has designed a network Of
roads that will form magnificent
heritage for the future as lure fol
the tourist. Southern Ontario 10 sur
rounded by the cool waters OF Lake
Huron. Georgian Bay. Lake Erie. LAKE
Ontario. the River St. Lawrence and thu
Ottawa River and the northern districts
are a web OF delightful inland lakei
and streams.
BY result OF chance and practica
necessity rather than design county ant
provincial highways designated for earl,
| improvement form q belt line Of the chic
lakes and rivers SO that splendid oppor
| tunities are being created for tn,
motorist. The provincial highway alont
Lake Ontario and the River St. Law
renee easterly to Ottawa and Montrea
Is n route OF delightful scenic beauty
The existing concrete road between To
ronto and Hamilton is noted for its ex
cellence and passes through dstricts. o
| lake and farm that cannot but attrac
and delight the tourist Roads in tn
vicinity OF Niagara are in course OF i'm
provement or the visitor from New Yorl
may enter Ontario at Lewiston an,
Immediately proceed westerly to Hamil
| ton over an old stone road that IL Il
process Of Improvement From Hamil
ton and Toronto the motorist will An,
gravel and macadam roads radiatins Il
all directions.