The Merits Of Steam Rollers

In response to a query regarding the relative nierits of steam and horse rollers in the building and rebuilding of country roads, Mr. II. M. Coombs, of Cranston, R. I., rccently sent this letter to Mr. W. M. P. Bowen: "Dear Sir- In replying to your letter I must begin by saying that my kuowledge of roads, like my experience, is very limited, not having given much thought to tlie subject, beyond a natural love of good roads. Tliat love was early strengthened by my having lived for a number of years in the then town of Waltliam, Mass., where, as you must know, poor roads are the exception - especially so within ten miles of Boston. Coming from tliere to Ehode Island you inay be able, possibly, to estímate my opinión of the public roads or highways of the towns in this state as they were tvventy-five years ago. But you want my opinión as to the relative merits of steam and horse rollers, for building or rebuilding country roads. Of course, if no other can be had, a horse roller is better than no roller, but thero is no more comparison betweon them than between the old Franklin printing press and that froin whlcfa comes the daily papers today. "My short experience on Cranston street, during the past summer, taught me that in point of economy the steam roller was, at first coat, i. e., the daily cost of running it, more than 75 per cent. eheaper than the Morse machine, lf the quality of work is taken into the account 150 per cent. would be nearer the correct estímate. We find after five iiiontliM of wear - and rather trying weather for roads these liu months have been - that those sections of the road rolled with steam apparatus are as firm and smooth as when iirst completed, while the parta rolled with the horse roller are badly rutted, muddy when wet and exceedingly rough when f rozen. "These factsarc patentto anyone who may have occasion to pass over Cranston road from the city line to a point near the residence of Dr. Simmona, on that street. From the city line to the Arlington Hay and Grain company's store, the work was done by the steani roller. From the car barn to the point above named, the west side of the road was rolled by steam, the cast sido by horse roller. Let the public judge between them. "In closing, permit me to suggest that with the ampie supply of gravel possesied by the town of Crauston, at least, and a good steani roller, it is certain that as good roads can be made as any in the country, and at a comparatively ïowcost over that of tlio old l'aultv, and in the end expensive, way. "I sincerely hope that the town of Cranston will act, as it seenis to me it should, in accordance with good judgnaent, as to the merits of the steam over the horse method, and order a fifteen ton steam perfected roller at its fínancial meeting in April next."