Note 17 — Chapter III · CHICAGO THE METROPOLIS OF THE MIDDLE WEST: REASONS FOR EXPECTING CONTINUOUS GROWTH: THE SUBURBS: A LAKESIDE DRIVEWAY ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN: CONNECTIONS BETWEEN OUTLYING CITIES: THE BUILDING OF GOOD ROADS

The commercial value of good roads was recognized by Massachusetts a quarter of a century ago, and to-day every portion of the commonwealth is provided with a network of excellent highways built under the direction of a highway commission at the joint expense of state and town; and now the work of tree planting along the roads is in progress. In Los Angeles County, California, $3,500,000 has been raised by a bond issue for laying out and improving highways—so thoroughly do the people appreciate the attractions which good roads have for the tourists who, as in Massachusetts, are a source of income to the community.

In Illinois the State Highway Commission has built two so-called experimental roads in the vicinity of Chicago, one at Wheaton and the other at Naperville. On the road at the latter town, the commission has tried both limestone and slag macadam, and also gravel treated with tar and with oil. A movement is on foot to connect the Wheaton road with Chicago by a direct highway built in a substantial manner. In a letter dated October 20, 1908, Mr. A. N. Johnson, the State Highway Engineer, says: “It is possible that some attempt will be made at the coming session of the legislature to secure means to start the construction of highways. Public sentiment in general, however, is somewhat backward, and I imagine will require longer time than is available by the next legislature to get to such a point that any considerable sum of money will be forthcoming, such as will be necessary to take this work up properly.”