The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-08
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
MAINTAINING GOOD ROADS.

CoLFAX, April 7.-TEd.tor, The
West Virginian. l-Roads are badly
needed and for the most part are
desired by the public, but no one IS
oyer.anxious TO pay the bill. This
landowners object to o higher taE:,
the automobile driver feels that he
is paying enough and the general
tendency Is for each class OF road
users to shift the responsibility,
There ought TO be some means Of
equalizing the burden and appor.
tloning the cost according TO bene.
fits. Something like 9,000,0 900
automobiles and trucks are travel.
ing the highways today. The entire
population OF the country might 1t
transported at one time by truck
and automobile. This gives an idea
Of the immensely OF the automo.
bile traffic which includes any.
thing from the small car to the
heaviest truck.
1t is conceded therefore that
automobile owners should stand a
fair share OF the construction and
upkeep cost Of roads. Further than
this. traffic should be so regulated
that the roads once made good
may be maintained in that Cond!-
tion. This demands additional funds
for supervision and repair. includ.
ing special provision for control
Of heavy traffic. The greatest de
structIon agency at work on the
road today is the heavy truck trait
fic. Different states have various
ways Of regulating OF falling to
regulate this traffic. Some states
have high truck licenses. Maw'
land, for example, has a license
not to exceed $50 for a one ton
truck and up, $500 for seven tone,
and other sizes on a. similar basis.
In contrast. under the Ohio license
law, seldom more than $50 is paid
for the larger trucks. In Maryland!
the law requires that no truck load
| exceeding ten tons may be carried
over the road, and provisions are
made TO enforce the law. perma.
nent road scales are provided and
heavy loads are weighed. An over.
loaded truck Is not permitted to
pay q fine and pass on but mus.
unload Its excess and. make an
other trip. With such provisions
truck owners are not likely to over
load.
Where traffic is very heavy, pro.
visions should be made for 1t BY
constructing a durable type Of road,
/ such as concrete. The first cost
is large, but when the work is once
well done, the upkeep is light.
Wisconsin, with its progressive
program OF road building, has more
than 500 miles Of concrete road.
but while the best roads cost $45,.
900 per mile, which is too much.
they will give great service. Many
OF the automobiles and most OF the
trucks are in the city, but the farm.
lei should also support good roads
II has been estimated that the
value Of the land along a paved
road is increased from $25 to $40
ner acre, which increase extends
back one mile from the highway. In
this case, there is an Increased
value Of the real estate adjacent;
to the road and one mile back
equivalent TO $23 per mile. Those
receiving this benefit should Ger!
tainly be willing To, make a reason.
able contribution to the costof the
ronds
OF course, the benefit iisinot limit.
ed only % those adjacent to the
road aud the distribution Of cost
should extandSt to others, according
TO the benefits. WHAT'S needed.
everywhere Us the hest roads that
can De obtained, be, IL concrete.
riaeadhn grayel or dirt. Where
trtyei Ilieht with adequate grad.
ling aud drainage good dirt or
gravel rogdimay I'd naihtainedS For
tthe inteFeAt on he COS D cons