The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-14
Federal Appropriations
For Road improvements
CONTINUED from Page Four.)
Wednesday Nights Session.

many ladies were present.
Chairman Patterson announced that
because of an unavoidable accident TO the
stereoptieon apparatus the lecture could
not be delivered. In lieu of this he an
! nounced that a programme OF addresses
would be substituted.
| The first gentleman to speak was Prof.
w. C. Riddick, of the 4. & NJ. College,
his subject being Economical Roads for
Rural Districts his address was a
careful study of the question of roads In
the country, their construction, their To-
cation, their cost, and other matters
affecting roads in every section of the
State. He had convictions on road build
| ing, and he expressed them freely
Prof. Rddick said that we should not
wait for the State or the United States
to build our roads, but each county
| should do the work. He entered ela6or-
ately into the cost of road building. and
gave in detail the equipment needed. He
! insisted that roads in each county We're
of far greater interest now than great
highways through the State.
| The address was carefully prepared,
was well delivered and showed that Prof
Riddick was thoroughly conversant with
his subject His suggestions were val
liable and the audience applauded him
vigorously.
| General w. r. Cox spoke next. His
subject was Good Roads and their Re-
Iation to Country Life" General Cox
spoke eloquently and wittily. and his re-
marks caused much applause and laugh
ter as he made point after point in his
| address.
/ EIa he Of in, hn ENac
the West. and showed how the interest in
roads was growing. He did not believe
in waiting for the general government
to move, but counselled work at home.
The address was an able one, and it
portrayed the needs of good roads in the
districts in an admirable manner. Great
closed.
Chairman Patterson then announced
the following committees:
On Resolutions-Hon s. B. Alexander.
of Charlotte: Mr.. T. B. Parker, OF
Orange; Capt. S. H. Webb. of Alamance;
Mr.. Duff Merriek. of Ashevlle; Mr.. E. l..
Daughtrldge. OF Edgecomoe; Gen. w r.
Cox of Edgecombe.
On Organizatton-Prof. J. A. Holmes;
Paul Garrett. of Weldon; Senator Cheek,
of Orange; H. W. Plummer, of Asheville;
p. H. Hanes, of Winston; Senator Jas. D.
| Mcneil, of Fayetteville.
Mr. E. L. Daughtridge, of Edgecombe,
whose record in the last Legislature has
commended him so highly to the people
OF his county and the State, and who is
good roads enthusiast spoke next.
Edgecombe's interest in good roads is
growing" he declared. THE interest In
the East is on the increase and we are
/ ready to start forward in this great
work. The effect OF this meeting is going
10 be felt throughout the State. In nv
section We do not propose TO be left be-
hind in this progressive movement, which
is of so much Importance TO our com
merciai and industrial interests
The value of good roads Is recognized
by Edgecombe. The outlook for work in
this direction is excellent, and | believe
that our people will proceed at once to
add to everything they have already
done to make better roads,
In Edgecombe we intend to build per-
manent bridges, stone abutments, and fix
| our red hills. Our people are not ready
Tor any great expenditure. They favor a
moderate demand"
Mr.. Paul c. Graham, County Attorney
OF Graham county, said Durham has now
fifteen miles Of good macadam road The
convict force Is at work daily extending
| these roads. I'VE levy" said he. "a tax
and also have labor ty those liable for
road duty in addition Those who choose
can pay money instead of working. In
addition to our own convicts we use con-
victs from adjacent counties that have
no road tax. We build q road of ma
cadam, and on both sides we have good
dirt roads. Durham is going forward"
Capt J. d. Mcneil, Senator from Cum
berland. said his county was rapidly
awakening to he necessity Of improving
the roads. The county authorities
are at work Improving now with
out adequate tax, but with the con-
yicts they have succeeded we'll, They
build good roads at $3.50 per mile. Cum
| berland will ask for an opportunity to
vote for road bonds. Then we invite all
| to come down on their automobiles and
| ride over the good roads we are going
| 10 make, at the rate OF thirty miles an
hour Capt. A. B. Williams, chairman
! of the board, also spoke for Cumber-
| land.
| Mr.. j. s. McCubbins, of Rowan. said his
county commenced macadamiZing four
years ago. I'VE have fifteen miles OF ma
oadanl road. We levy g tax or II cents
on the 800 and 30 cents on the poll, work
an average of thirty convicts and with
| good road machinery some progress is
being made
Mr. j. Van Bindley, OF Guilford, said
| thirteen or fourteen years ago the town
ships were given the privilege of accept
! ing the road tax. 1.-THE two Greensboro
| townships levied the tax, and continued
work three years. Then the whole coun-
ty wanted good roads and work by con-
victs was commenced and we have graded
nearly all the leading roads i'll the coun-
ty. Then by private subscription three
miles were macadamized TO Pomona.
Also in another direction four miles of
splendid roads was built by private sub
.scription Work IS still being done.
Many In Guilford favor c 100000 bond
issue so as TO give the present genera
ition the benefit OF good roads y tax
lof 1915 cents raises $4,000, and that will
pay the interest or 100000 and provide
a sinking fund. They will soon vote the
bond issue
Mai. r. L. Emry. OF Halifax, said: y
am from the city Of Halifax. We have