No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 625 



passengers, and require them to pay a yearly rental for the use of 

 the public highways, where they run over them. This would help to 

 keep up the roads, and ease tlie farmer, greatly assisting in solving 

 the road problem. Jiut it is doubtful whether the Pennsylvania 

 Legislature, nominated as is by corporate influence, will ever change 

 the present law. 



Now from what I have said, do not for a moment think that I am 

 opposed to the steam roads. Oh, no; far from it. They have helped 

 to make this great State what it is, and to do without them would 

 be like going out into the unknown world; but with a net-work of 

 electric railroads extending across our State, the time, labor and 

 expense of transporting farm and dairy products would be greatly 

 lessened. 



After carefully considering the different ways in which the agri- 

 cultural interests of our State could be benefited by electric rail- 

 roads, etc., I would give the following reasons: 



First. That which will come home to the heart of every true 

 patriotic citizen, is the education of our sons and daughters. The 

 centralization of high schools would be made possible, and this 

 problem being solved, schools could be established at central points, 

 regardless of township lines. 



Second. By the rapidity with which produce could be taken to 

 markets, especially perishable products, such as vegetables, berries, 

 etc. 



Third. Because routes would go directly through communities 

 producing market products. 



Fourth. Dairy products could doubtless reach the consumer in 

 better condition, from the fact that they could then be taken direct 

 from producer to the consumer. 



Fifth. Rates of transportation would be less than the present rail- 

 road charges, and a division oj' this difference between buyer and 

 seller would add to the profit of both. 



Sixth. Transportation by electricity in these days of congested 

 ''freight traflc," would be a relief, as well as a benefit to trade. 



Seventh. Transmission by electricity, now when there is so much 

 demand for fresh dairy and poultry products in the large hotels 

 of towns and cities, by transporting lines through good farming com- 

 munities, would supply a want not filled by railroad transportation. 



Eighth. It would enable dairymen, farmers and poultrymen to 

 compete with commission men, who, under the present plan, have 

 things in their own hands. 



Ninth. Every new method of transportation and transmission, of 

 necessity, will add to the progressive spirit of the age. 



Tenth. New methods begets new energy; convenient and quick 

 transportation creates a necessity for more and better products. 

 40— 6— 190§ 



