The High Cost of Muddy Roads
A new engineering report argues that upgrading Whitman County's agricultural infrastructure could save farmers millions annually.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The improvement of country roads is a topic clearly and intelligently discussed in bulletin 89 of the Washington State Agricultural College and School of Science at Pullman. The pamphlet is from the pen of W. J. Roberts, of the department of civil engineering, and points out that in the state of Washington there is a growing and urgent demand for better transportation facilities. Mr. Roberts calculates that the average cost for hauling wheat in Whitman county from farm to warehouse is 7.5 cents per bushel. If, by better construction, systematic repairs and maintenance, this rate can be reduced, the saving to wheat producers alone would be $500,000 per annum. He notes that while the state is not yet ready for expensive stone or steel track roads, the path to prosperity lies in smoother surfaces that allow for heavier loads and lighter traction.
“The average cost for hauling wheat in Whitman county farm to warehouse is 7.5 cents per bushel... If by better construction, systematic repairs and maintenance, this rate can be reduced one-third, the saving will be $500,000 per annum.”
In 1900, the struggle was to move wheat from field to rail; today, the 'last mile' problem for regional logistics remains a constant in Whitman County's economy. The push for road maintenance is a perennial civic argument, reflecting the timeless tension between tax burdens and the infrastructure required to keep an agricultural economy moving.
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