Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-12-13
LOOK FAVORABLY
ON BOND ISSUE
Demand For Good Roads
Brings Money Question
Prominently Before Public
LEVY COURT TO TAKE ACTION

LEVY COURT TO TAKE ACTION
Ccrstl rcq ass made to Levy
Court commissioner for good roads
in various sections Of The county and
that bocys almost Universal reply,
YcVr r quest is reasonable, but re lilly
there is no money with which to do the
work you desire" has awakened the
people in New Castle county to the TACT
that II good roads are to be obtained
the money wherewith to construct them
must he forthcoming.
The question then arises: Where is
the required money to come from?' TO
which the only logical answer appears
to be "ths issuance of county bonds"
On Tuesday last a delegation consist
ing OF over twenty of the most prosni-
lnent property holders living along Lam
caster pike appeared before Levy
Court ana almost supplicated that
something be done to improve the con-
dition Of that road. The delegation
did not ask for the expenditure Of
great amount Of money, but asked that
if the roadbed could not be placed in
first-class condition that at least it
would be made passable.
mo Money"
This meeting was a most interesting
one and the words of the various
members OF the delegation were lis
tened to attentively by members Of the
court At the conclusion Of the discus
sion Levy Court was obliged. as usua
to inform the delegation that as much
as it would like to do something to inn
prove the condition of the road there
was mo money" with which to carry
on the work.
1t was then that the question Of
bonding the county for good roads pur-
poses came up prominently for discus
sion, and during which It was shown
that, with one or two exceptions, the
property owners present were favorable
to the proposition as the only means
by which the desired end could be
reached.
Levy Court Favorable.
During the remarks upon the bond
issue question it was brought out that
with but one exception members OF
Levy Court were favorable to such a
proposition. and that the one member
who opposed it would favor 1t under
the condition that the State would ap-
propriate a certain sum yearly 10 he
used for good roads in connection with
any bond issue that might be brought
about
No Tax Increase.
1t is set forth by members Of the
court who favor the issuance Of county
bonds that such an issue would not
have to be met by many Of the present
generation, as the bonds would not
mature for probably twenty years,
when they could be taken up by the
generation which would derive the
greatest beneht from their issuance.
1.-THE proposition Is a simple one, AMI
one that would work no hardship upon
the present taxpayers, TO say the least,
remarks a member of Levy Court.
How many business men are there
who do not practically bond themselves
in one way or another? The man that
has $1,000 on hand and desires to bull
a $4,000 home or place of business does
not hesitate because he has not the full
amount available. He goes as FAR
ahead as his ready cash will permit and
mortgages. practically bonds, what
work he has accomplished in order that
he may finish his undertaking. Does he
as a rule pay off this mortgage or do
his children or successors meet the oh
legations created by him? Sacn
method is practiced daily in business
life by the practical sound-headed
man."
100000 Issue.
The proposition along this line whicn
meets with most favor with Levy
Court and the public in general appears
to be the issuance OF bonds maturing
in twenty years or more and which II
is believed New Castle county wOuli
have no trouble in floating. The
amount of the Indebtedness which
would be created by such an issue is
Tainted at 5000 900, the yearly issu.
being $4,000. This sum, pIus the $40
600 appropriated yearly by the Stase
to the county for good road purposes
would permit much work 70 bs accom-
plished along this line without mater
tally increasing the present tax rate
as such bonds issued would simply tak'
the place OF those which mature anl
are met at stated intervals at present.
II is-urged that the present cost Of
road building per mile in New Castle
county Is about $4,000, although in some
sections it is less. With S250,OO0 as q
working basis it would be possible e
construct over thirty miles Of goot
roads in the county.
May Introduce Bill.
SO strong has become the sentimen
In favor Of the good road proposition
that members of Levy Court are think
ing strongly of and In all probabilit,
viii frame and introduce at the coming
session Of the LEGISLATURE bill pro
viding for an issuance OF count.
bonds. This move. it is believed, viii
] meet with practically no opposition Il
9 view OF the facts above stated.
/ Government Lends Aid.
I AS an indication Of the general in
terest IN the movement FOR the better
3 ment o. the county's roads it may b
o. stated that the last annual report @
Fourth Assistant Postmaster DeGraN
/. shows that the Federal Government
e has gone into the good roads bushes
ia connection with the rural free deiv
= cry service. so far its work is 3rn
L oipally in the way Of cooperation wit
ID state highway officials in maxim
r known the condition OF bad roads. bu
Z such work as has been done has show
= a,,.elianf results. ON this subject IA