Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 239, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1911 — STARTLING "GOOD ROADS" FACTS [ARTICLE]

STARTLING "GOOD ROADS" FACTS

’/ There are in the United States a little more than two million one hundred and fifty thousand * miles oi roads. Of this mileage only one hundred and seventy six thousand, foui hundred and twenty nine miles ars improved, or eight and two tenths per cent of the total, according to statisics gathered by the Government office of public Roads. The improved roads are those surfaced with gravel, stone, or" with some special material. _ The most striking feature of these statistics is t6e enormous extent oi unimproved roads in the United States. An expenditure of-something like $3,000,000,000 would be required to convert the common earth roadi of the country into even good grave! roads. That this is desirable few will gainsay, and that it is becoming necessary under modern conditions and the relations now existing between producer and consumer is also quite generally admitted. The increased cost of hauling over unimproved roads is an Immense tax upon the farmer and those who purchase his products, and is a restriction on the crops which can be raised and moved in certain localities. The Interestate Commerce Commission finds that two hundred and sixty .five million tons of agricultural, forest and miscellaneous products of the land are hauled to depots for shipment in the course of a year. Figured on a basis of the average haul at the lowest average rate over unimproved roads, 23 cents per ton per mile, the cost would be four-hundred-thirty-two millions, four hundred thousand dollars. If the hauling could be reduced to one-half the present average or ll%c a ton, the resultant saving would exceed $200,000,000 a year. That such a saving is reasonable is Indicated by the experiences in othei countries and in localities where improved roads are found. The cost ol hauling on such improved roads is placed at from 8 to 10 cents per ton The introduction of wise and equitable road laws and good business management would, it is estimated, save forty million dollars more in the administration of the country’s roads or leave it for some other use. The rapid increase in urban population has greatly multiplied the demand for the perishable products ol the dairy, truck farm, and orchard, and theVyalpe of such products depends to a large extent on their speedy transportation from the country to the city. For this and other reasons the auto truck and similar product-carrying motors are taking the place of the horse and cart and the firm wagon. Public sentiment in favor of better roads is yapidly spreading to each farm and hamlet. As a result of this awakening, our 2,000,000 miles ol earth roads can not much longer remain in their iresent condition. American farmers can not afford to pay an average 23 cents to haul a ton a mile when 10 cents would suffice If the highways were improved.