ROADS AND BRIDGES 279 



is the redistricting and consolidating of the rural schools 

 in all regions where good farming lands warrant this 

 increased expense for school facilities. Hauling rural 

 pupils to the consolidated rural school out in the open 

 country and to the village and town school is the most 

 expensive item of this necessary system, and to make it 

 practical and not too expensive the roads must be pass- 

 able at all times. 



Good roads help cities and villages. By making farm- 

 ing more prosperous, and rural life richer, the resources 

 of villages and cities are increased. The city and coun- 

 try are brought into closer communication. The city 

 needs an easier way of communicating with the coun- 

 try, as well as the country with the city. With good 

 roads the markets of the city are more regularly sup- 

 plied with foods and other farm products. Business is 

 generally accelerated in the city by being placed in more 

 easy communication with the country. A more active 

 market is provided for manufactured and imported 

 products. Professional and expert services are in greater 

 demand because the farmers can better reach the city, 

 and physicians, artisans and others can more easily serve 

 the country. In villages, especially, business, schools, 

 churches, societies, etc., are better built up since the 

 number of people who can easily reach these smaller 

 centers of population is widened by better roadways. 

 Good country roads make better carriage, bicycle and 

 automobile ways for city people as well as for country 

 people to use and enjoy. 



Good roads help transportation companies. If we 

 could now have the bettered roads which the next half 

 century will see, we would add greatly to the profits 

 of railway and other transportation companies. Prod- 

 ucts hauled to the railway, canal or river stations would 

 be greatly increased. Farmers could market more of 

 those bulky products which bring more freight receipts. 



