Show v CHANGE IDEAS ON HIGHWAYS Non-Motoring Non Public No Longer Regards Re Re- gards Bards Good Roads as Speedways for Fortunate Neighbors The publics public's conception of good goo roads has undergone a radical change In tho the last two years Prior to the entry of ot the United States Into the world war the non non- motoring American public more often than not thought good roads were advocated advocated advocated ad ad- chiefly for the benefit of their more fortunate neighbors who owned and drove their own motor cars writes E E. A A. Williams Jr president of a large motor truck company They hey were Inclined to regard good roads laws as class legislation and were unwilling unwilling un un- willing for the most part to lend either financial or moral support to the construction construction construction con con- and upkeep of ot something from from which they derived no direct benefits so far far- faras as they could see The way war merely hastened what leaders of the Industry had foreseen for several years It furnished the setting setting setting set set- ting and the conditions which enabled the truck to establish Itself as ns a n fator factor fac- fac tor in the economic life of the coon coun- co un try The non-motoring non public no longer looks upon good roads as speedways tor for or the motoring aristocracy It has come to realize that motor trucks track are essential as transportation factors and that good roads are necessary to the efficient operation of trucks Its vision has been broadened It sees the advantages and benefits which accrue from a combination of these factors factors- I benefits which have a direct bearing up upon n the economic conditions of ot the community It sees the farm brought one might say to the very table of the consumer It sees an ultimate decrease In food prices and those who pause to con consider con con- eider sider the matter further see the ever expanding range of possibilities of the truck track and Its ally ally- good roads With the universal recognition an and adoption of ot the motor track truck the pub publics public's tics lies conception of how roads should be built also has undergone a n change hange Heretofore re there has been a vast difference difference difference dif dif- ference between the average mans man's Idea of good roads and that of th the experienced engineer The average I man was was content to build for the present present present pres pres- ent the engineer as a result of past and n not t altogether satisfactory exper- exper I. I A a ai i A s i. i wYO 4 Motor Truck Carrying Big Load Over Improved Road lence knows and land has known the Importance importance Im im- of building for the future as aswell well as the present The Il e first fist tl thing a railroad does after obtaining a way right-of-way as everyone knows Is to build a roadbed and lay tracks That roadbed Is put In to stay The track which corresponds to the surface of the highway Is built of of the most substantial l and practical material to be had The h railroad officials however do donot donot donot not expect this roadbed and track t to last forever without attention Long aJo ago they learned that t the only way to assure safety and durability Is to anticipate depreciation and make co constant con con- stant repairs 1 That Is just what we are coming to In tn inroad road building For years It has been customary or Bounty county engin engineers er to direct such operations but for the most part their work has been hampered hampered hampered ham ham- by lack sack of funds and inadequate inadequate imide- imide quate quate force or by limited legislation and more or less red tape There ar are some states in which farmers are still sun working out their road tax by the day hauling gravel or stone In a n more or orles orless orless less les haphazard fashion for the construction con con- construction n of roads upon their efforts and those of a limited force of hired workers depends the maintenance of the community's highways |