Evening journal., 1904-03-15
no PUSH PROBE
INTO ROAD TAX
FARMERS, INSTITUTE APPOINTS COMMIT
TEE TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION
OF PRESENT SYSTEM AND TO SUG-
GEST BETTER METHOD

Afterward. however. tho third was re.
constructed as follows and passed:
Resolved. That the money now spent
for dirt roads is principally wasted and
that we investigate better method OF
applying the money nov raised by road
tax"
The following committee was appointed
to conduct the investigation: Representa-
tive Philip Tyre. Former State Senator
Robert MacFarlane, Representative David
Rose, A Naudain. Jr. and Fred Brady
Horrisan Objects to Engineer.
Immediately after the reading Of the
resolutions Cornelius Horrigan. road
commissioner was on his feet. He OBJ
jected vigorously to the county employing
an engineer and based his convictions on
the fact that 1t would require at least So
900 year to maintain. such a position.
He claimed 1t would be an expensive out
lay without beneficial returns. 1T would
be difficult to find an engineer with prac-
tical knowledge and theory combined,
said Mr. Horrigan. If he is good he is
not looking for a job"
President Chandler Champions His
Opinion.
President Chandler. Of the Levy Court.
who sounded the first note for a county
engineer at the morning session replied to
Mr.. Horrigan. He said;
The Levy Court employs a lawyer and
pays him 5000 a year, but they do not re-
strict him from doing other work. The
same rule applies to an engineer. He could
| be employed on the same basis.
Il think it would be cheaper in the end
and l think It would be not only a saving,
but right and proper that we have a COM
petent engineer"
Mr.. Megginson. OF the Levy Court. OBJ
jected to the hiring of an engineer saying
it would be an expensive luxury
A. n. Brown was in favor OF abolish
ing the three county road commissioners
and employing one for the whole State.
zone Of the greatest questions is to reduce
the COST said Mr. Brown. Il am not In
favor Of a county engineer. Don't let US
spoil a good movement by getting too
many offices. Many good movement has
sounded its own death knell in this man
ner."
j. w. Cooch said something strenuous
should be done toward the betterment Of
the roads. He argued that II but 100 Yards
OF aew roads were built each year that II
would be a benefit.
6avors Ten-foot Road.
Frank n. Carswell showed In Delaware
each year two and one-half millions OF
dollars were spent for hauling. Win
a gooa roads there could be s25O.Ooo OF thi,
amount saved annually. He further said.
The railroads are improving their tracks
all the time, Strengthening curves and re-
duclng grades. The object is 10 lessen the
cost Of transportation and increase their
profits for the stockholders. This is the
Whole problem In a nutshell.
1 IN my judgment a road ten feet wide
ana nine inches deep Is the best. It will 60
farther and therefore is more good. The
people who live in rural New Castle should
surely not object TO any movement tu
improve their highways. One half OF the
cost OF the building Is paid by the State
and one half OF the other half is paid bv
the residents Of Wilmington"
The cost OF building a road ten fee,
wide and nine inches deep per mile would
be $1,000"
George Kerr, trustee Of the New
Castle County Workhouse, spoke for IN,
president Of the board who was unah,,
to attend the meeting on account OF IN.
ness He said the institution was ready te
furnish stone at any time for the build
J ing Of roads.
, o. w. Eastburn said:
Would Soon Need Flying Machines.
Unless the inventors Of flying machines
: are successful ] do not know what We vii
do IN a few years. The roads are almos
= impossible now and are steadily gettinl
, worse. We are spending too much none!
with no returns."
on account Of many Of those in attend
apce having 70 leave 70 get trains, tn
meeting adjourned shortly after o'clock
E All those present fell that by coming to
= gether they had made another step TO
{ wards the goal they are striving for
. better roads for Delawars.