Prizes

Agitation for itnprovement of liigliways ia extending over the country and Gov. Hill of N. Y. de votes about a column of Lis last message to a discussion of the best methods. In Pennsylvaniu a comtuission lias been nppoiuted "to revlae the laws relatlng to tlie construction and improvement of roads and public highways, also to conaider the advisability and practicabilily ot the state assistIng in the construction and improvement of Uic same." There are fewer subjects of greater mportance before the people today tha to make easier communication with innr kets. To ald in the discussion of this matter papers by competent writers are being called for and wrltten. For instance tlie Unlverslty of Pennsylvania has offered prizes of $400, $200 and $100 for the best papers on the engineering, economie and Icgislative features of the constructioD, reconstructlon and maintenance of roads. Other prizes have been oflered by the Engineering and Building Record, of New Yoik, of $150 for essays on the methods of construction and maintenance of good roads. These prizes are stirring tip thought all over on the crying evil of transportaron, for it now costs far more to bring a load of grain flve miles to market over our country roads than it does by rail from Chicago to the sea-board. More can be accomplished by getting this big tem reduced than by attempting to get cheaper railroad freights.