The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-01-26
BATES BALKS
AT BONDING
FOR HIGHWAYS
Light Thrown Upon High
way Situation by Mr..
Bates at Newport

Stoddard B Bates, member OF
the State Highway Commits
sion gave some very pertinent and
valuable information regarding
thc present highway situation IN
Vermont before an appreclatiVe
audience composed Of the New
port Chamber Of Commerce and
their friends Wednesday evening.
= Col. C. S. Emery president of
, the Newport Chamber of COM
merce, in introducing Mr. Bates
said I'VE have here with US to-
night a near neighbor "a man who
mas done more for Orleans county
than any of US He made so
many good roads in our county
that they wanted him some where
else"
Mr.. Bates expressed his pleas
ure in meeting so large a num-
Der interested liz this important
subject on this occasion and re-
viewed briefly the maintenance of
roads which received his first con-
sideration.
1t is of primary importance he
said that we keep in proper shape
the roads already constructed.
To illustrate his point Mr.
Bates said that a graveled road
was like the old woman's wooden
stocking exhibited at a county fair,
and which won prize, on the
claim that it had been in constant
use since 1857. When the old lady
was asked by the Judges as to why
it was in such good shape of pre-
serVation after such constant
wear, said that "she knit new tops
every year."
He spoke of the maintenance
fund established by the automo-
bile law of 1908, and also told of
the bridge fund, the unsolicited
highway fund, state appropria-
tions, federal aid, permanent i'm
provcmcnts, patrol system and re-
surfacing. He also explained that
to secure aid from the Federal
government is is necessary for the
state and towns to furnish the
right of way and do al prclimin-
AIRY engineering work.
After the agreement with the
federal government has been made
and construction of the project is
begun 80 per cent of the cost, not
. to exceed the agreement estimate,
Us borne by the Federal govern
ment.
The highway now under con-
structon from Newport to st.
Johnsbury will be as good a road
as is to be found any where in
the state. When questioned as to
why he started the road at Gov
entry instead Of at the Newport
line, Mr.. Bates explained that the
appropriation was only one-tenth
on highways upon which U. S.
mail was not carried.
He explained also that the roads
and bridges must be at least Is
feet wide, in Vermont This Va
ries, however, in different states,
in New jersey they require them
to be Sc feet wide. That plGbably
accounts for the enormous cost
of $4,000 per mile for cement
roads in that state.
Mr.. Bates expressed himself
very much opposed TO Vermont
h bonding herself for $4,000 a mile
cement highways, as we have yet
many other obligations in many
counties. The one requiring our
first attention is better school
bulldogs. The needs of the boys
and girls of today are immediate.
The roads can wait if necessary.
At $50 a regular mans supper
was served by Earl Davis, assist
ed by Mrs. Annie Magoon. 1t wa
much enjoyed by the 96 members
and friends present.
Francis S. Tinkham and Earl
L. Brown were appointed auditors,
A nominating committee of five
was voted to cosi>t of K. w Spear,
J T. Gardner. p. Q. Miller, W. W. (
True and Richard Hurst The an
Tual meeting will be Frb. 7 at the
'amoll ,