Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-04-03
Total number of miles,

These roads could be built, under mod
ern scientific methods, for 81 900 per mile;
but if the cost should be more, the addi
tional cost would be more than offset by
the fact that it would not be necessary to
macadamize every portion of the roads
mentioned.
There is now enough money, it is under
stood, i'll the treasury to pay the present
road debt, so the whole of future taxes
could be applied 10 future needs. The
interest OH 500, 600, at per cent. land
county bonds could, possibly, he foated
at per cent J.. is S., ,45O. The present in
come out Of which this interest and a
sinking fund could be taken, is about
$6, 700 per year This would pay the in-
terest and leave 81 ,250 to be paid on the
principal, but interest charges would de-
crease and the sinking fund increase each
year. In addition to this, under the present
law, the supervisors have 81, 700 per year
/ lOI general TOdu DuI pOStS'
But it is not fair to cay that the income
would remain the same. The available
taxes for this purpose will increase for the
following reasons: ~ The constant nor
mai increase in values. (2) The increase
in railroad taxation under the provisions
Of the new constitution. (3) The increase
in the taxable value of coal land, which,
if the assured development of these lands
and the building of projected additions to
the railroads Of the county come 10 pass,
will be greatly more than the recent rise
in the value of these lands, great as 1t is,
would indicate. (4) Add to'lhese the
certain increase in values due directly to
the proposed roads themselves and 1t is
as certain as anything human can be GER
tain that we will have in the near future
a fund large enough to pay the interest on
the fund and provide for greatly increas-
ed sinking fund, as well as to keep the
roads of the county in repair; and the
whole debt would be paid in compare
gtiIely short time. All these increases in
values and the consequent increase in
available road funds are SO reasonable and
probable as to make them practical GER
tainties, and are the same character OF
probabilities as those constantly relied on
by sound, conservative business men.
Many citizens advocate the payment
for road building by. increased taxation
and on the "pay-as you.go" plan. 1t is
conceded that no Increase in taxation that
could be borne by the people would give
JUS the above suggested roads or a like
number Of miles in time for the present
generation to enjoy them; for only little
could be done each year, and that in the
old, wastefu. unscientific manner. A
large part OF the money would still 20
land of necessity to filling up gules and
mud holes for the next rain to reinstate.
But suppose We appropriate part Of the
"pay-as. you-go" plan and increase the
tax for road purposes just little, 10
cents on the hundred. At present assess
ed values this would give us an additional
81, ,500.l er year. An increase of 20 cents,
making the road tax so cents instead ot
f 80 cents, as il now is. and the picture be-
comes all the brighter. If to this we add
the certain increase in values above sug.
gested, it will be seen that we would moi
only have fine roads but an abundance o.
money to pay for them, to pay interest
charges and TO keep them in repair. The
/ coulc would never feel the expense, anC
it can bs ,.0Ae at the present rate of taxa
. ton.
2 When we consider the matter in th'
! light of these figures, we see that the plal
s suggested is a feasible one from The purell
business standpoint Of Can We pay 70
them?'
in abe foregoing, no account has beel
taken of the immense advantage theroad