People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1892 — In Regard to the Road Congress. [ARTICLE]

In Regard to the Road Congress.

Editor Pilot— The subject of ‘'Public Highways” is, at present, receiving a very uncommon amount of attention. Road congresses are meeting in every section of the United States. The following are some of the questions discussed in our road meeting at Indianapolis: ‘’Farmers’ Need of and Ability to Construct Good Highways,” “Good Roads from an Economic and Social Point of View.” “A Plea for Better Engineering on Our Country Roads,” “Construction of Roads in Indiana Under Present Laws,” “The Roads of Europe.” Now the object of those pushing this matter is to overhaul, relocate, resurvey, macadamize and perfect our road system till, in all seasons of the year, the flying bicycle can move as smoothly and swiftly along the country road as it now does upon the paved street. The prime movers in this road question are the bicycle manufactuers, “The American Wheelmen.” They are the ones who have been giving prizes to district shool children for essays upon, ‘ ‘Country Roads.” The bicycle manufacturer is, just now, greatly concerned in the roads the farmer has to travel, how ,liis heart goes out after poor old hayseed as he beholds him trudging along the muddy lanes and bumping up and down the rocky hillsides. True and wise philanthropist that Mr. Bicycle Manufacturer is. He has, he thinks, found the source of all our ills, and the remedy he would apply is an “Improved System of Public Roads.” The test of the perfect completion of future highways, the condition in which they shall be kept will be decided by some fixed standard of time, per mile, the bicycle can make upon them. The sixteen year old dude in tight breeches and high-up socks astride the whizzing wheel is the coming road supervisor. The comfort of the athlete, and the pleasure of the spoijt will be the main things considered in our new system of road making. Yes, we must have better roads, but how are we to get them? They can not be made without money. We are already taxed to death, our state is in debt and has just increased its demands upon us; our county is taking much more taxes from us than ever it did before; the nation’s expenditures, it is said, will this year exceed its receipts many, many millions; money is scarce, interest high, the products of labor low; So where is the money to come from to make these grand roads we all so much desire? Shall we issue 5 and 6 per cent, interest bear* ing bonds to raise a road fund? Shall the farms, lying along these improved roads, be taxed to build and keep them in repair? How will it all be done, and who will pay for it, when it is done? are the questions. One thing peculiar and inexplainable about this new road craze is that % it is not the farmer who is urging it, and yet all is to be done for him and by him. Old Fogy. i Success in everything depends largely upon good health. De Witt’s Little Early Risers are little health producing pills. See the point then take an “Early Riser.” A. F. Long & Co. Fruits at the post office.