Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1922-01-18
Former Barton Man on Vermont
Roads.

Fifty-one years ago at the Barton
fair, l first saw an automobile. This
one was made and exhibited by a Mr..
Cough U think / have a picture of
him and his machine now). After
running it around the track a few
times, it was put into a tent and a
payment of 15 cents was charged to
see the steam wagon. Being a boy
who never liked horses for the rea-
son that / never felt sure that both
ends would always be on the ground
at the same time, l gave up my Is
cents and was among the first to en-
ter the enchanted enclosure. l did
not come out until night, for found
the maker a very entertaining man.
At this time I learned many facts
about horseless transportation, so
that when the rubber tire came, 1
knew we were entering the horseless
age and that good roads would be
needed. l soon evolved a plan to
control uor state prisoners so that
this labor could be used to make at
least trunk lines of permanent high
way. I tried to get bill before the
legislature to conform with this idea.
In the first attempt, did not even
get to the capitol. My second
attempt some twenty years later
was soon killed in the commit
tee. l am still of the opinion that
this is the thing to do, and that it
would result in permanent roads and
also in better health and conditions
for the state charges besides having
good effect upon the criminally in
clined.
1 am proud to note that under the
loo I<v- -. e
so far pursued sane and reasonable
course on the road question and that
very little money has been wasted
which is very remarkable when you
consider that no one has known and
hardly now is able to determine what
is needed for permanent highways.
1 spent the summers of 19i7-1S in
the Queen City of Vermont and had
a good chance to see the poorly built
streets of that city. They were of
the hard surface type with asphalt
top. They were the toughest of the
roads in Vermont where any preten-
ton of improving roads was made.
The hard surface had broken through
and was one series of holes, a thing
that is bound to happen to this type
of road, if horses travel over it. The
Free Press in commenting on the
shocking condition of Burlington
streets said that they could think of
only one excuse for such a state of
roads and that was to make the boys
over in the shell holes of France feel
at home when they returned. / was
told that those worn out roads were
not paid for. / think that Mr.. Max
Powell has surprise coming to him
if he really thinks good old Vermont
falls for any such scheme as that on
which he is working.
Now / believe that at this time
there are only two kinds of improved
roads to be considered, reinforced
concrete and gravel. 1t would not be
wise for Vermont to change to either
of these all at once, but some con-
crete could be made each year under
definite well laid out plan. Gravel
roads should have good drainage
and should be planed often. Roads
mae in this way are perfect except in
times of dust and mud. / think if
thin oil could be used so as not to in
terfere with planning, it would do
away with these faults in gravel
roads. Another thing / have some
faith in, and would like to see tried
is to sprinkle with liquid clay, the
best roads in some sections of the
state have this idea carried out in a
natural way. Something of this
kind is worth consideration. / do not
believe in bonding for improvements
that do not bring in money income
to pay interests and make the debt
less. Every generation has its prob
lems and we should pay as we go and
not hinder those who come after US.
I have no axe to grind and have CIV
en- my honest opinion of the condition
in my native state.
Yours for better Vermont,
c.. F. Percival.