94 CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 



constmction the more scientific methods that we are obliged to 

 use here. I venture to say that a road built as any of these roads 

 that I refer to, here in Massachusetts, would not withstand the 

 heavy frosts and rains, with the vastly greater loads, for a single 

 year. 



But it is in their maintenance that the roads in England and 

 France excel ours. There it is not permitted that any uninstnicted 

 person shall have anything to do with them. The men in charge 

 are trained from their youth up, and the result of such a system 

 is apparent; and it is a most impressive example to us in this 

 country, where the abominable practice exists of having in charge 

 of our roads — I mean the country roads throughout New England 

 — men who have no more knowledge of the subject than the ordi- 

 nary farmer or mechanic might be supposed to have. 



There is no profession or trade that requires more experience and 

 more intelligence than the building and care of highways, or where 

 an incompetent or negligent person may more easily and more 

 effectively waste money. I have been often amazed that the people 

 of New England, who have the reputation of being intelligent and 

 of spending their money judiciously, should permit a system to 

 exist which practically wastes the largest part of the money spent 

 in building and maintaining their highways. 



It is safe to say that in the country districts of Massachusetts 

 alone a half million dollars a year is spent in the care of their 

 roads by the towns themselves. It is safe to say that at least 

 one-half of this amount is worse than wasted. How much wiser 

 it would be if this same amount of money were expended intelli- 

 gently; for in the majority of towns in this State fairly good road 

 material can be obtained, where now it is neglected, and where 

 used put on improperly. A better system would make not only 

 passable but good roads, even without greater expenditure of 

 money; and what is true in Massachusetts is true to a greater or 

 less extent in all of the other New England States. 



Conclusion. 

 It can no longer be said that the necessity for better roads is 

 not recognized, or that their economic value is not appreciated. 

 This is felt and understood especially in New England; and al- 

 though it does not appear that in the different New England States 

 uniform laws can be enacted, yet uniform methods of construction 

 and maintenance, in accord with the best practice under given 

 conditions, may well be employed. 



