The Crittenden Automotive Library

VERMONT ADOPTS NEW ROAD POLICY

VERMONT ADOPTS NEW ROAD POLICY

The New York Times
April 21, 1914

To Make Main Highways Permanent and Use Gravel for Smaller Roads.

Vermont has adopted a new road policy this year, according to information received by the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. The Highway Commissioner, Charles W. Gates, is to use the State appropriation of about $250,000 in building trunk roads, and to spend funds amounting to more than $75,000, derived from motor vehicles, in keeping the main-traveled routes in repair. He will abandon macadam and other expensive types of construction, and return to earth and gravel surfaces for the less used highways. Vermont roads will receive an unusual amount of motor travel this Summer, because hundreds of touring parties are expected to pass through that State during the week of July 4, in connection with the run for the Glidden trophy from Chicago to Boston, which terminates at Boston on July 3, and the semi-annual meeting of the American Automobile Association at Bretton Woods on July 4. The plan adopted by Vermont, together with her determination to build brick, concrete, or other equally durable roads near large cities, and wherever the volume of travel makes the cost of maintenance of macadam excessive, is approved by the Chamber.

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At the request of a number of automobile dealers who displayed interest in the proposed automobile business demonstration which was to have started Thursday as a two-day tour in New York and Connecticut, but who did not feel like entering just now, it was decided yesterday to postpone the event until next month. Fourteen defferent makes of cars had been entered when the decision to postpone was reached.

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The ability of a modern motor bus to withstand the shock of collision without overturning was brought out on Sunday when a big motor express truck collided on Fifth Avenue with one of these vehicles. The truck, which was running eastward on a cross street, collided at right angles with a southbound bus. The shock was sufficient to tear out the rear end of the bus and demolish the stairway leading to the upper deck. Although the bus was thrown sharply around and severely shaken, its equilibrium was maintained. The seats on top, as well as those inside, were filled at the time. The superstructure of these vehicles is very light, although strong, and in spite of the fact that they appear somewhat top-heavy to the inexperienced eye, the truth is that most of their weight is below the feet of the passengers; the centre of gravity is exceedingly low.

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More than 150 persons interested in traffic are expected to attend the dinner to be given to William Phelps Eno by the Citizens' Street Traffic Committee of Greater New York at the Automobile Club of America to-night.