The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-12-09

E. p. Moores said tie solution of the road
! question would entitle Il man to monument.
! Heugreed with the IDEAS advanced by Messrs
James and Dalton, except that he opposed the
use of the road scraper. Where road scraper
or pillow can be used you don't want any dirt
thrown.
1t would be great advantage to the county
and save money. Road scrapers can be used
with advantage in his neighborhood.
Jas. +. kenly also approved of fewer super
visors. In his neIghborhood one man mends
considerable length of road and has improved
it ut less cost than before. The same result
would follow if the plan We're adopted for the
whole county. When good man is found to
mend the roads he should be kept at it. Each
year he would become more capable. Some
districts might require more sub-supervisors
than others.
Geo. X. Stephenson said he was not in favor
of the present system. and the suggestion of
Mr.. James was valuable. There are several
advantages i'll dividing each district into road
sections. The man appointed over each sec
ton would acquire experience and could do
the work mt the proper season. He could also
provide himself with the proper implements
and after several seasons would learn the
needs of each road under his charge. 1t was a
question i'll his mind whether dirt had better be
scraped from the sides of the road to the mid
die or taken away from the sides, to form the
road. He condemned the tOo-frequent making
of breaks ON hills and said all breaks should be
formed by taxing dirt away, from the upper
side instead of piling it up below the break.
:. A. Williams said it seemed to be the gen.
eral view Of the members that there should be
FEWER sections or ROAD anu lever supervisors,
and every member of the CLUB should do all he
can to promote the plan proposed.
VIM. B. Hopkins expressed his approval Of
the plan. Farmers generally wait until their
busy is over and consequently the roads are
often not mended until fall by beginning
early in the spring and following it up the
whole season we would have good roads near
ly the entire year. 1t is Il want of economy
not to keep piece of road good after once get
ting it so.
ing the roads mended by trained men, well
equipped and when you find Il man who under
stands his business give him all the roads he
will take.
Mr. james said the loamy, light and worn
out soil in water-courses should never be put
back on roads.
T. E. Swartz said there is room for improve
ment in the present system and he could think
of no better change than the one proposed. 1t
would give us better roads for the same out
lay. Scrapers are essential to good road mend
ing but it requires Judgment to Use them prop
erly.
sion.
Mr. Proctor said the increased expenditure
for roads can not entirely be laid at the Com
misSioners' door. The General Road SuperSis-
Ors put out the warrants and it is not strange
to see warrant for $40 come back with bill
for $40 and approved by II General Supervisor
The latter being the agent for the county the
bill must be paid. 1t is the road supervisors
and not the commissioners who get behind
hand with the road funds
A. NJ. Fulford said there is need of the move
Inent proposed. 1t would benefit not only in
dividuuis but the whole county, as good roads
would enhance the price of our lands and at
tract outsiders to the county. He hoped the
movement would be generally approved.
j. NJ. Street, remarked that somebody ought
to be responsible for the money expended on
our public roads. He had always favored the
application of one-fourth of the road money
in permanent improvements. In some parts
of the county there can be no permanent i'm
provement except by the use of stone or gravel
If this were persevered in it would go IL long
way towards giving us good rouds 1t should
be done under competent and responsible per-
sons 1t would command general approval to
place that authority in the Supervisors.
Thomas A. Hays said that unless all join ac-
lively and earnestly in the plan proposed moth
ing can be accomplished.
The President, Mr.. ID. c. Wharton Smith, eX-
pressed his qualification ut the large attend
ance. 1t was the concensus of opinion that If
we centraliZe authority and unite in our efforts
something may be accomplished. Many diff
culticS will be encountered but we have turned
our faces in the right direction. The General
ROAD Supervisors should be clothed with us
given them to dispense the public funds for
roads Ii the plan proposed Is carried we may
in few years look for results that will astonish
lis. When the Darlington Road League WAS
started he expected it would bring about a
storm of discomfort but it has not.
f. w. Baker gave an account of the progress
OF the movement inaugurated by the Club for
a State convention TO meet in Baltimore on the
18th, 18th and 18th of January next, to form
State Road League, and expressed the hope
that the members of the club would attend it.
The General Road Supervisors of Hartford were
also invited to be present. The Secretary was
likewise instructed to invite the county Agri-
cultural Society, the other farmers clubs and
roaG leagues of the county to send representa-
tivcS.
1t was also resolved to invite the County
Commissioners to attend the next meeting of
the Club, which will take place ut Walkers
Hotel, Bel Air, January I'd, 1898.