THE FARMER AND THE TAX-( iATJIERER. 197 



miles of road traffic at ono-tenth the volume of rail traffic, 

 which does not seem to me absurd, the cost of moving it, at 

 twent^'-five cents per ton, was 11,905,176,182. If we guess it 

 at one-twentieth, the cost was $952,588,091, which seems to me 

 entirely reasonable, and probably, as to tonnage, an under- 

 estimate. If, however, tlie average cost per ton per mile could 

 be reduced, as it easily might be without excessive taxation, to 

 fifteen cents, the cost of moving the country-road traffic would 

 be only $571,552,854, which would be an annual saving of 

 $381,035,273, or about the cost of sustaining the national gov- 

 ernment. This, of course, takes no account of the increase of 

 speed and comfort, with corresponding reduction in cost, of 

 transportation of persons either on business or for pleasure. 

 Some farmers in the United States compete directly with 

 French farmers in our home markets, and can hardly under- 

 stand how the Frenchman, in spite of our protective duties, is 

 able to hold his own so well. There are various reasons, but 

 one of them unquestionably is that, by reason of good roads, 

 one French horse does the work, in hauling, of at least two 

 American horses. 



While such illustrations as these are commonly employed, 

 and are very striking, they are probably exaggerated. There 

 are not many whose main business is farming, who are com- 

 pelled to keep extra horses to haul their produce to market. 

 The teams which are necessarily kept, can usually do the 

 work; but still the saving is great; the driver's time is saved; 

 the wear and tear of animals and wagons is reduced ; in some 

 industries — as sugar-beet growing, for example — wdien deliv- 

 eries of bulky produce have to be rapidly made in seasons of 

 bad roads, the importance of a good road bed can hardly be 

 overestimated. My object, however, is not to present an argu- 

 ment for "good roads." It is not now needed in America. 

 There is even danger, in some districts, of overexpendi- 

 ture, under the stimulus of excitement created by enthusiasts. 

 What seems to me likely to be useful in this place, is a brief 

 study of the problem as a business man would view it. If my 

 method of study commends itself to the reader, he can apply 

 similar reasoning to the circumstances of his own case, and 



