Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 230, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1913 — ROADS AND ROAD MAKING [ARTICLE]

ROADS AND ROAD MAKING

THE QUESTION OF EDUCATION. Its Importance in Selecting Responsible Road Makers. It is agreed by those who have given the matter proper study that education is necessary in securing road improvement both among those who are the principal users of highways and contribute the greater amount to their construction and maintenance, and those who are responsible for the work of constructing them, says the ’ Good Roads Magazine. That road Improvement does pot go ahead faster is due in large measure to the conservatism of the farmer wfio has used the roads in their present condition ever since he was born and which were also used by bls forefathers from the time the country was first settled. With him the question ds viewed from the standpoint of present cost and not what the benefits will be In the future. As soon, however, as he Is brought to see the Increased economy of getting his produce to market in season, the appreciation in value of his land, and the multitude of other blessings, he is one of the warmest advocates of good roads. When the point Is reached that it Is decided to Improve the roads, then the question of the proper person to become responsible for tmelr construction comes in. So long as the antiquated system of labor tax is employed, so long can little improvement be made. The great ‘need, therefore, is the changing to the money- system and employing some one skilled in the science of road building. When road building is on In earnest throughout the country, the demand for road engineers will be greater than the supply. The action taken by the several schools and colleges In establishing engineering courses for road construction is a step in the right direction.