The evening times., 1900-02-10
FOR And AGAINST ROADS
fhe People of Alexandria County
to Vote Next Monday.
The Close of Long Campaign in
Favor OF ImProvements-A Mass
Meeting Addressed by AgrIcultu-
raj ExPerts-ObjectiOnt 90 the Pro-
POsaI TO Issue SI5O,OQO Bonds.

An enthusiastic mass meeting in the
County Court House at Fort Myer Heights,
Va, last night marked the close Of live
ly campaign in favor OF improved and in
creared road facilities for Alexandria
county. Nearly four hundred citizens
were present. aBd information relative to
road construction was discussed at length.
Maurice o. Eldridge and E. G. Harrison.
both Of this city, were present, represent
ing the Agricultural Department, and
gave suggestions, illustrated by stereopti-
con views thrown upon canvas, Of the
process followed in proper road con-
stTuction- Speculation as to the result
Of the election is rife in the county, but
owing to the opposition which has de-
veloped, no accurate forecast OF the vote
can be ventured
II was eight O'Clock when the gathering
was called TO order last night at the
County Court House. The court room had
been cleared and several dozen lamps,
placed al intervals, gave abundant light.
Mr.. James Z. Clements called the meet
ing to order made few remarks. and
then introduced ar. Eldridge "as an ex-
pert on road building, one who viii give
US valuable information on the subject
Arrangements had been completed for
ctereOptcon views during the afternoon,
and Mr.. Eldridge after a brief talk prln-
cipally upon the advantages to be gained
from good roads, plunged into volume OF
interesting and scientific data regarding
experiments formerly made by the depart
ment In other sections of the country,
where improved roads had become an ac-
complished fact
His remarks were illustrated from time
to time upon the canvas and were most
interesting and instructive. Mr.. Eldridge
showed the various estimates for macada-
mized highways in different sections Of the
country. He also submitted 10 view on the
canvas pictures Of roads elsewhere, and
briefly explained the methods which had
been followed in securing the improved
-oads in several localities.
George y. Saegmuller, Chairman of the
Board Of Supervisors OF the County, said
a few words in favor OF The bonding propo-
sitiOn. as provided for in a bill recently
passed by the VIZ sinia Legislature. He
called attention TO the present deplOTable
condition OF the public highways and closed
with an appeal TO the people TO support the
project at the polls on Monday next.
Mr. Harrison followed presenting a num-
Der of Views from various sections puT-
porting 10 be the result OF scientific inVes-
tigatIon and research into improved road
building He referred 10 the cost Of bond
ing Alexandria County for S15O,OOo as pro-
posed. and stated that in his opinion,
money would be saved the people IN the
aggregate by the adoption % the proposed
measure.
The speaker was OF the belief. he said,
that the bill would be upheld by the peo-
pie. that they would recognize the great
importance Of the proposition. and wo-ld
accordingly support the measure as pasSe
by their representatives, at Richmond He
closed with reference TO the financial con-
dition Of the county. which. he said.
would not be in the least WOrsJed by the
bond issue
There were other short speeches. all fol-
lowing along the same line as those
quoted. It was evident that q strong
minority present was decidedly dubious ie-
garding the subject, yet the meeting was
organized by friends Of the measure. and
70 opposition developed at the meeting
Now that election dag is almost at hand
interest in the project a bond Alexandra
( county for the improvement and increase
OF public highways IS growing. There is
I no doubt that the proposition will evoke
serious opposition. A campaign OF -edu-
cation" was declared necessary about two
weeks AGO by thOSt latneTing tle measure.
80 great has been the feeling against the
! bill submitted 10 the people. This cam
paign closed last night
II has been waged nightly, meetings
! having been held throughout the county
and speakers from this city. Alexandra
city. and the county having urged the
matter before the voters Nearly every
meeting held recently. whether called BY
/ the opponents Of the bill or by friends "
! the measure. has been attended by a DOW
erful faction known to be violently oppOs-
ed 10 the whole project. The friends 0f
the measure which will be voted on Mon %
day next. are dubious as 20 the result.
The various bills brought forward p-o-
viding for the bonding OF ALEXANDRIA
county were discussed in the Count Board
Of Development, an organization composed
OF representative business men having in
terests in the county. Consideration OF
the subject occupied several months be
fore the board. special meetings being
held almost weekly, and warm debates
( marking the progress Of the discussion. Il
/ was only after various concessions, prin-
cipally the drawing OF a substitute bill
that the measure was finally approved by
a majority Of the board. Whether this ac-
tion will be seconded by the vote Of the
people Monday cannot now be safely pro-
dicted.