The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-03-09

lJafYllvllle. These are unquestiOn-
ably the principal thoroughfares Of
the county, leading from every dis
ltrict to the county seat and to the
railroads. These principal roads
will aggregate about one hundred
land thirty-fve miles from best in
formation obtainable. If these
roads were permanent roads,. every
section Of the county would be in
Ieasy access Of every other section.
The citizens of Kincheloe could be
sociable with the citizens of Binga-
mon creek. As it is during the
winter season, for at least one third
lof the year, we are isolated from
each other, our business is suspend
led, our social relations hindered, be-
cause of the impossible condition of
the road. just this week, within
lone mile of the corporate limits Of
| Clarksburg, on one Of our principal
Ipikes, ] saw one of our fellow citi-
Izens out of humor, swearing like a
trooper. covered with mud from head
to foot, trying to pick up a well
drilling machine that seemed fast
disappearing out of sight. When
asked how far he had travelled that
day he sullenly replied: 81 have
moved the d thing about 100
yards"
"Thirdly, l want TO say a word
about compensation for labor under
the present system. The price is
fixed by the statutes of the State.
The maximum price for a surveyor
of roads is $1.5O per day, for days
labor Of 10 hours, $1.25; for team
lof two horses and driver. 1926.
Supervisors of roads are continually
complaining that it is impossible to
Iget ablebodied men to do work on
the roads. The result is that boys
and inferior labor are employed. In
this day and time Of progress, it is
.out Of the question to get men to
work on the road at present prices
when they can get much more in al
Imost any other kind of business. 1t
is very frequent occurrence for a
surveyor to make a report and state
that he was obliged to pay $500 per
day to get teams at all. The County
Court has invariably reduced the
rate to 1926 per day, thus produc-
ling dissatisfaction and the loss of
ten times of the same help in the fu-
Itnre. This is particularly true in
the oil producing section where the
Iprice of labor is high. With the in
creased cost of the standard of liv-
ling, it is impossible to get good re-
suits at the prices now fixed by law.
Even though it may be urged that
the price paid is just compensation
for the kind OF services given, vet
nothing can be truer than that bet
ter and more competent labor can
mot be secured at the present prices.
"Now, a word as to the cost of the
maintenance of the roads Of this
l!county. By examination, L found it
difficult to get the exact figures for
road expenses prior to 1885, without
a great deal Of painstaking labor
And, inasmuch as we are concerned
only with the present, | made no
calculations prior TO 1890. In that
year the total cost of repairing roads
was $15,900.O0. The rate of levy
was as low as per cent. on the 500.
In 1901 we spent in round numbers
iS20, 900; in 1902, $4,000; in 1903,
$25,000; in 1904, $50, 500, and in
i19O5 a levy of $4,000 was made.
1.-THE rate for 1905 varies, the lowest
being 12 1-9 cents, the highest be-
ling 40 cents on the 800 valuation.
This levy is intended to clear the
districts Of all Indebtedness. which
is very satisfactory condition Of af-
fairs. What per cent. Of these
lamounts is properly spent | cannot
lsay. 1t is very evident from the
condition of the roads today that a
large amount is misappliad. As
lproof Of this statement, purchaser
of two or more sections under the
IAlternate Law, his contracts
amounting to $500, performed his
labor upon those sections in less than
two days. His account was approx.
ed and signed by the board Of sur
vcyors and the account paid. A
communication from the Governor
of the State, which is basedron re.
ports from the counties, says that
66 2-3 per cent. Of money now ap-
lpropriated for roads in this State is
misapplied. Ny observation is that
districts spending the least money,
lhave often times the best roads. II
is also true that the fewer surveyors
a district has the cost Of maintain
ing the roads is proportionately
lower. This proves that the sys,
TEN, or systems, now in force, are
Inadequate, that they are bungling
In,,l s..L r 1I--1 IL II