Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-13

Frances next apostle for roads was
Napoleon the First. He. too. not only
advocated roads. but. having the
power. he built them. And today the
roads OF both Caesar and Napoleon are
doing fine service for France. showing
how well these pioneers had mastered
the problems OF roads making. The
money and labor spent by them has
never been lost. Napoleon knew in
case case, OF IT, attack rrnnGes sole defense
tions. roads and canals. which would
insure rapid and universal movement
Of men and supplies.
And because the great Bonaparte
planned SO wisely and we'll, the French
republic kept up and extended his
civilized world had to go TO France to
fight, they found a battle field ready,
with all the needed roads leading to
France may be divided into three
classes. viz. the national highways,
munal or country roads. the last cor
responding to our own township roads.
Without doubt the national highways
Of France are the best and most beau
tiful to he found anywhere. They ra-
date from Paris to all large towns
and cities. and are rex kent up at the
hfty-two and one-half feet in width.
have hard stone or gravel surface,
are laid GU, as straight as possible
France there are about 10000 miles Of
national highways, In many places
rows OF trees TO mark these ways.
making travel much more delightful
and adding an artistic touch to the
landscape, These are. for the most
part. ancient roads. and one is struck
with their permanency. Over many
Of them the Roman legions. passed
France and England toured the coun-
try over them as they fought the
Hundred Years War. Joan Of Arc rode
along there at the head Of her vic
torious armies. and in late years. in
peace time. tourists from all the world
have sped by auto. from Brussels to
in minimum time. The French build
their principal roads, just as they do
should be the best and last as long as
In comparison With this policy. a
tnisd States g reeeSes I the impr IN iee
that probably our people do not in
tend to remain here: roads and houses
This seems TO me to be short-sighted
| policy. II appears the Romans were
! wiser when. after evnquering Gaul
! no doubt. calculated II roads are good
for an old country. they are just as
good for new one. They did not
! loss the value of road improve 8
! They made the improvements the frs,
I thlnS. bringing TINS question home
our country is not so old: $50 years Is
nothing as the age, Of nations goes
but century and half is ample time
1t seems 10 me. for us TO profit by the
experience Of others. AS people We
are already converted on the roads is
sue. but We are yet unwilling TO buy
the best roads. which In the long RUIZ
are the cheapest Considering the
great strides made in means Of trans.
portation we should forge as far ahea6
of the Romans on road building as our
automobiles are head OF their lumber.
ing chariots.
roads. which correspond to our count,
roads. They arc usually of macadam
and are kept UP at the expense Of the
department. and. like the nationa
highways. are under the supervision
Of the Minister of Works at Paris
There IL also maintained at Paris
large school for the training Of road
engineers and bridge engineers called
"Ecole des Points ct Chausees." a
this school. likewise, instruction /.
given in the upkeep and repair o.
roads and bridges.
The. third class OF roads, the com
munal or country road. covers al
France like network. They pass by o
through every farm: are generally II
excellent repair for ordinary trafic
They are maintained by the commune
under the direction OF the Minister O
the Interior. Thus at Paris some Off
cial Is always responsible for the uni
form efficiency OF the whole road sys
tenn.
No brief description OF the Frencl
3u, reference to their system of roat
signs. The OIbIisheS com