Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1896 — GOOD ROADS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GOOD ROADS

Keeps the Roads Smooth. The smoothness of European roads is due in great measure to the use of wide tires. In France every wagon and market tart is a road maker. The width of the tires there runs from three to ten inches, most four-wheeled vehicles having a srix-ineh rim, and a rear axle several inches longer than the front axle. In Germany, where the main roads are models of smoothness, every,wagon for heavy loads must have at least a four-inch tire. Even the light vehicles are required to use tires not less thap two and one-half inches wide. The laws of Austria require wagons, ■built to carry loads of more than two and one-quarter tons. to have tires not less than four and one-half inches wide, and if the wagons are intended for loads of more than three and one-halt' tons the tires must be six and onequarter inches wide. In*'Switzerland the width,must not be less than one inchjto each draughCanimal. Wagons •for fhd transportation of articles must have tires of not less‘‘than six inches,—St. Louis Republic. :

The Public Highways. The question of good roads is pressing itself more and more on the attention of the public. During the past few weeks there have been no less than three conventions held to consider this matter—a State Convention at Richmond, Va., a State convention at Columbia, S. C., and the National Road Congress which assembled in Atlanta. The subject of good roads appeals to the whole public. At tlie north and wherever there is a large population the question is a very simnlo .one—inexulx. a matter of organization and enthusiasm. But where the poptilirtlbn is sparse the question is surrounded by immense and almost insurmountable difficulties unless public opinion can be prevailed on to perceive—and that clearly—that the interests of the State are involved. It is an easy matter for some counties, to make permanent improvements, but in counties’where the population is sparse and where there is no considerable aggregation of capital, the question bf good roads takes the shape of a very seripus and difficult problem. • So that while some communities have the means to carry On permanent road Improvements from year to year, other communities, less fortunate in that respect, will be compelled to let matters run on pretty much as they have been running, unless, indeed, public sentiment so crystallizes as to, compel legislation on the subject. Just when and how this is to be brought about it would be difficult to say. The public highways have bilm neglected for so many years—or woJ.se than neglected under our deplorably bad system—that bad roads have eome to be regarded as a necessary evil. The cost that they entail on the public and the losses that are sustained- by both producers and buyers, are beyond computation. As this cost and these losses fall on the public at large, irrespective of county boundaries, trades or profession, the question would seem to invite general legislation for the benefit of the whole State.

If the improvements that are necessary were to be mhde at once the question would be settled in the negative. It would be out of the power of the people to engage in the affair. But it is not necessary. In this respect the people, if they move in the matterat all, will have to follow the example of other countries and other communitit's. They will have to go slow, in order not only to keep down the average of taxation, but to give a solid and a permanent character to the work that is done. Slow and sure is not a bad motto in any enterprise or in any line of business, and it is especially applicable to the matter of road improvement. A mile of permanent roadway built every year would, in the course of time, give a splendid system of public roads, and would nearly double the value of the taxable property of the State, to say nothing of the money that would be saved to the producers as well os to the consumers. This question, like all other questions of public importance, lias Its ramifications, and in one way and another, it affects the Interests of every man. woman and child in the State. In spite of this—or, perhaps, by reason of it—it is a very difficult problem to solve.. If it is ever solved the solution must necessarily be the result of State legislation; and this is a very delicate matter. There is one reform, lioWtever, in regard to Wlch public sentiment is rapidly crystallizing, and has to do with the road question it jnay be briefly referred to here. It is the belief on the part of the people of all classes that it would be better for the State convicts to lie set to work improving the roads than to hire, them out to compete with ffee labor. This reform lit now ready to seize upon the Legislature and make itself heard.