The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-28
COUNTY ROADS DISCUSSED.
The Commercial Association
Moves in Earnest.
Capt. NJ. NJ. Rogers, L. G. Pechin, j. Allen
Watts, Eston Randolph and Others
Make Addresses Committees An.
pointed to Follow up the Matter.

The discussion on the improvement
OF county roads at tho Commercial AS
ISOLATION last evening proved one of the
most interesting of the series. The at
tendance WAS large and the presenta-
tion of Vows was general.
President Pechin opened the subject
with the GENERALLY accepted statement
that the county roads around Roanoke
were in the worst possible condition,
and that some plan ought to be devised
whereby thoy could be put in passable
condition.
Mr.. j. Allen Watts gave at length an
admirable prosecution of the subject.
The people of Roanoke county, he said,
were fully aware of tho condition of
their roads and the necessity for their
Improvement They had in years past
held several public meetings to secure
action, butt at the last moment no &C
ton would be had. The property own
ers would welcome any practical plan
whereby the work would BIO done. The
present system was defective and ac-
complished nothing.
In nearly every country in Europe
plans had been adopted that had pro
duced Admirable roads. In England a
vast array of facts regarding improved
roads had been collected, showing not
only the methods of making i'm proved
roads, but tho benefits and increased
values traceable to them. Rome held
her power over the world by her mag
nificent system of highways extending
for hundreds of miles. In parts of this
country some communities have gone
extensively into the Improvement of
county roads with most beneficial re-
suits. The improvement OF county
roads around Roanoke will best DO
secured by cooperation between the
city and county districts.
Mr.. w. e. Bihb followed with a state
ment of scme of tho practical Difficult
ties and legal obstacles to effective
work.
Mr.. II. t. Browne spoke in favor of
having the state aid the counties ty d.
viding tho 100000 derived:from railroad
taxation among the counties for the i'm
provement of highways leading to the
railroads on condition that each county
applying for such aid raise twice as
much by direct taxation for tho Same
purpose.
Mr.. Watts+objected to this plan as the
taxation for its own support.
Mr.. Eston Randolph objected to the
present law allowing tho authorities to
exact two days work from each able
adult as obsolete and productive of no
good result.
Colonel Lewis advocated the employ
mont of State convicts, who may be
had for their keep by applying to the
governor. good road could be built
by using them for about 81, 900 n mile,
and under good management the Roam
oke county roads could be rebuilt in
five years.
Mr.. Watts said the farmers would all
objec to to tho conyicts, as thew would
fear to have them IN the neighborhood.
Further remarks@ere made by Mr..
Arlington Gilpin HHd Mr.. C. Ii. Beebe.
To aid in bringing about practical re-
suit President Pechin appointed Mr.. j.
Allen Watts chairman of committee
to be associated with him and of his
own selection to formulate q plan to
report TO called public meeting for
improving tho county roads. Mr..
Pechin appointed second committee
with Mr.. j. G. Rawn as chairman and
j. Allen Watts. Arlington Gilpin, Col
Andrew Lewis and DIR. E. A. Parsons to
confer with the Salem board Of trade in
regard to the construct ton of Roanoke
Salem boulevard.
After adopting a resolution in favor
Of plan for placing one hundred
framed copies of birds eye view of
Roanoke in one hundred Northern no.
tells the meeting adjourned. There
will be meeting next Tuesday (elec.
tior0 evening. The subject for Tues
day, Nov. 10, will be announced later.
GENERAL THOMAS SPEAKS.