THE NECESSITY OF GOOD ROADS. 



THE question of good roads is not receiving the attention 

 that it deserves in Minnesota. As in so many other 

 cases the causes can be traced to a mistaken prejudice 

 the very last thing that should affect the opinions of an 

 educated community. Because the automobile clubs of the 

 cities are pushing this movement the farmers and horse- 

 driving public generally become prejudiced against it on the 

 basis that it is something exclusively for the benefit of the 

 rich. 



A Mistaken Idea Prevails. 



This is altogether a mistaken idea. It is true that the auto- 

 mobile clubs want the good roads and will be enabled to 

 enjoy more pleasure and extended tours when the improve- 

 ments are made. But to them it is a luxury. The real econ- 

 omic benefit will come to the farmers and others who use the 

 roads in their business and must use them whether good or 

 bad. One mile of bad road often cuts down the hauling 

 capacity of a team fifty per cent on a twenty-five mile trip. 

 European experience furnishes examples of instances where 

 the building of a few miles of good road have increased the 

 profits of a community hundreds of thousands of dollars. The 

 benefit came to the draymen and not to the automobile driver. 

 Every farmer should put his best efforts into the movement 

 and welcome the aid that he can get from the automobile 

 clubs for the benefit is really all his. 



Present Road Laws Good. 



The present state road laws have put the possibility of good 

 roads well within the reach of the people everywhere and at 

 a very low charge. The proposal of building a concrete road 

 from the Twin Cities to Duluth at a cost of $11,000 per mile 

 staggers the average citizen. He opposes the proposition 



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