Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-31
HOWARD s. ROBERTS
On Good Roads, City and Country


THE value of good roads, both in the city
l. and in the country. is greater Item !"
our commercial prosperity than is generallS
known. according to Howard ;. Rooerts'
who has made n careful study OF the SUBJECT
for years and who is chairman OF the Good
Roads Committee of the Chamber Of Com.
merce.
at is the duty of every citizen of Phila'
delphia" said MIR. Roberts. "to assist IN
whatever manner he can the movement 10
further easy access both to and from our
city Following this theory. We have been
in constant communication with the CONNER.
rial organizations of all the neighbcrlns
towns. Up to the present time no dehniIe
plan has crystalizcd. but we are &c. ope.
nting with the several municipalities near
us with the view OF having as much OF me
State appropriation for roads as we can
possibly get spent In this vicinity.
Good City Streets Imperative
"Rut GOOD streets in the city are equally
imperatiye. In Philadelphia we have kept
in close touch with the city departments ana
with Council with the view OF having those
streets which are In obviously poor condl-
ton has shown that there is a very well
conceived plan to concentrate the present
apnropriation upon thoroughfares. and when
these plans are completed the indications
are that We shall have an exc exceedng!y welII s.,,i
about 81 ,OOO. 900 Of the last appropriation
unused, but which will probably all be used
by August |. One OF the features OF
the investigation has been as TO how heavy
truck traffic can best be moved from Broad
street to streets enst and west.
Zone feature of the city paving which
calls for very prompt and intelligent action
Is the 60 .ordinated work between the city
and the PHILADELPHIA Rapid Transit Com
many. Some Of the crossings. especially the
two way ones, are in deplorable condition,
| the roadway having sunk away from tnn
tracks. leaving an many cases saw, ,toothed
edges on the ends of the fanges. which are
very destructive to automobile tires
"Nore standard construction is needed
for that mart of the roadbed adjacent to the
tracks, Under the pressure OF ordinary traf :.
&C. the road sinks away from the metal and
ultimately a deep rut is worn alongside OF
the track.
4 Practical Illustration
"This ia we'll illustrated by conditions at
Rroad street and Fairmount avenue. After
having laid new paving ms we'll ms new
tracks rut not less than six inches deep
developed northwest of the corner. That
| work is now being done over and the street
| is again torn up.
1.-The effects of badly naved streets are
manv and regrettable. They disorganize
trafsc. cause delays in deliveries Of oil
kinds make the hauls and therefore. the
goods more expensive and cause an untold
amount OF profanity.
| .Jt il especially important that our streets
| he in good condition bernus" we are rnpidly
onnroaching the time when all the repairs "a
ne having should be done in such sub.
| stantiol manner that no further rcnaring
| sbnnld he necessary until after the Spsqui
C'ontennial. The condition OF n city streets
| Win respect to the paving. AZ well as the
| hoamtv and appropriateness Of its buildings
| oorrics a great II often unconscious. weight
With the visitors to that city. especially n,
a time such as a great exposition. when
| .horo ia n unusual amount Of riding around
| ~ .t roots by strangers To see the city
Trhorefore. this matter Of substantial paving
shnu,i be given immediate attention. for
s.ora ia much work to be done before the
onening Of the Ses1ui centennial.
"Anotber question is what part Of tho
t,ds noid by the Philadelphia owners 0i
ntnrcars is pxpended for improvements or
,," .ho citv streets? We have had in the pas
a survey made Of the entire city regarding
shs condition of the main thoroughfares
This Inflammation was placed at the disposal
- Tho city department having the streets
Upder it's care and proved 10 be of value
| ,rhe members of our committee also repOr,
a. every meeting outstanding cases of streets
which are In bad condition
| Working With Nearby Towns
| eve are also constantly working to stim
| ulate the interest of nearby towns and cities
i'm this most important matter, and we arr
LaN working together to influence the spend
1ss Il - much ~ possibls Of the State sp
4. !. - q