CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 99 



trunk lines. Now, there are fourteen of these trunk lines so 

 planned that they aggregate only 1,033 miles in actual length (the 

 total in the State is 15,000 miles), and yet they drain a population 

 of 851,000 out of a total of over 900,000 inhabitants. This sys- 

 tem of trunk lines passes through or takes care of the interests 

 of 132 out of a total of 168 towns. In my judgment, a well- 

 planned-out system of trunk lines should. not only comprehend the 

 entrance into other States, but should have as its first thought that 

 which will take care of the business interests of each State, — and 

 that should be very carefully thought out. First, the business of 

 a State over its roads ; second, the pleasure seeker's interests. 



The introduction of the automobile on the highways has caused 

 the commissioners of the several States many sleepless nights and 

 anxious moments, as we have seen it wend its persistent and anni- 

 hilating way over the roads; and we have wondered, yea, we have 

 groaned in the spirit many times, and said, " How long, Lord, 

 how long ! " But in watching the havoc that has been wrought 

 on our trunk lines I have reached this conclusion, — automobiles 

 are not to be held responsible for all the wear on our roads. It 

 is hardly fair to expect any road built by mortal man to stand 

 up to the traffic it is called upon to bear, and last forever. It is 

 no reflection on any commissioner in this country that the miles 

 of intertown roads, that have been built of as fine construction as 

 it is possible for man to devise, should disintegrate and go to pieces 

 with travel; nor should the commissioners be criticised because they 

 so do, by reason of the fact that many of these roads have not 

 been receiving any care at all from the towns in which they have 

 been constructed. There are many miles of road that never re- 

 ceive a drop of moisture — that which is so necessary for the con- 

 tinuance of a splendidly built macadam road — except what God 

 has sent. I venture to say we are building as fine a construction 

 of roads in this country as can be found in the world; and the 

 system of repairs we have in this country to-day, as organized by 

 the commissioners, is as good as any that has been inaugurated 

 by any people having charge of roads. 



We have vied with one another in ridicule of the hoe-handle 

 brigade, with the cider Jug accompaniment, system of repairs; 

 but what would we think in America if we were to see men who 

 were taking care of our highways sitting down with a few stones 

 between their feet, cracking them with a hammer? What would 

 we say here in America to such a system? And yet that is the 

 common practice or method employed across the water. 



