Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-06
THE WORK OF THE CHAIN GANG.
Newport News. Va,
Oct. 3, 1908.

Editor Daily Press,
Dear Sir:
"Mlong the line of what seem to
be your sentiments in regard to the
question of macadam roads. the ap-
pearance Of the chain gang In North
End Yesterday on its semiperiodlcai
gutter cleaning expedition. once more
forcibly impressed me with the ut
ter waste of time and energy expend-
ed ON this work
IF the chain gang actually accom-
plished the object for which this Work
Is ostenSibly done, namely. the clear
ing of the cutters OF debris In order
to allow the free flow of surface wa
ter. it would be worthy undertake
ing, but 1t not only does not do that,
but creates in reality. an obstruction to
travel that is already more than suf-
ficiently impeded, for the dirt and
grass that is dug out OF the gutter is
thrown mp into the middle OF the
street and adds few more inches OF
impeachment for the already overwork-
ed horses to pull through. When
rain does come, unless 1t is heavy
one, none Of the water reaches the
gutter but Is absorbed by this deep
layer Of dirt and grass and only
makes conditions worse than they
would otherwise be. When sure
enough down-pour comes. enough so
that the water actually does get into
the gutter. it carries all of this dirt
back to its original resting place and
once more fills the gutter ready for
the next trip of the chain gang some
several months hence.
The chain gang is sometimes fol-
lowed b. the road scraper to level on
this mess that has been thrown up
and put a piano finish on the road.
and in an hour after the road scraper
has passed there is no sign by which
1T could possibly be discovered thar
such a thing as a road scraper had
ever been Invented.
How long this has besn going on
I do not know exactly. bnt do know
that II has been for number Of years.
Nor do I know whether this is the
only amusement Of the chain gang.
but it Is the. only thing ] have ever
seen them do and fhave seen them
doing II often enough to create the
impression that II Is their only re-
creation. and to be quite confident
that they spend At least . pretty good
share Of their waking hours in this
pleasant occupation.
Now I am only human and could
scarcely claim to Re advise. Eut u
does seem TO me. land " ] am in e.
ror I know there are at least some
few others who must admit the sane
fauit) that Of all the useless useless
ness that was ever accomplished Nv
human hands. this certainly ought 70
head the list.
''If all the man power and horse
power thai has been verse than vast
Cd on the streets Of this city had been
used under The direction of the city
engineer. in the tceaking Of rocks
and the building Of macadam ROADS.
this city would have. by this time. AZ
least a goodly proportion Of its streets
In hne condition. and IL would not
nov have been necessary TO tave Is
Srsa bonds for Sioe.Me ard addsd
1915 per month to ITS living expenses.
1T may b. that this has never nap
pcred 70 impress itself upon YOU has
] know a great many people who ;h'n=
as "a. " Il has not. u seems 10 me
20 30 worthy srbicc: FOR yoar con
sidorstion. and u you. after considcEa-
ton. agree With my seufiment<. BE-
Hove !; would br a worthy Cause ior
yoGr paper TO asafs:e.
"Evrn u ron could not ere this INST
ter rs do. and ere willing to 90
co. ~ou arc At liberty 20 pus.'sa ms
i"ii-r - nv sentiments believing. n
do. that This - = serious waste on
labor and time that n:sE be used 10
good ssyantpee
VERY truly VOWS:
A. W. CHASE