The Washington herald., 1909-10-10
Road Bonds Do Not Repre-
sent Era of Extravaganza.
IT LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
G. G. Dave Points Out Cooperative
Effort Going on In the Southern
states-Says II Is Hopeful Sign.
DepIOres Revival of Turnpike Com
pRnies-Prescience of the Ports.
Br G. GRosvENoR DAVE.

Let no one imagine that the big bond
issues in the South for good roads repre-
sent an orgle or reckless spending. Moth
Ing is further from the truth. The bids
rejected during the past seven months
oppose any such idea.
The care with which some counties.
giving over $4,000 for roads. have then
made contracts for short stretches 10 be-
gin with, is evidence OF caution and a
sense OF responsibility to the public whose
money is being spent
One county is paying $4,000 to a skilled
man in order that 100000 mey be spent
10 the best advantage. In many counties
the officials are looking 10 the Office Of
public roads in Washington FOR tech
meal guidance.
Impulse Is Cooperative.
The cooperative impulse created my the
good roads sentiment IS one OF the most
encouraging features OF this whole mat
ter. 1t is cooperation based upon the
common-sense view that a road well-laid
out 10 the county line and then touching
one Of worthless character IL largely an
effort nullihed In almost all Southern
States that are active in the matter or
roads but particularly In those affected
by the great interstate highways pro-
posed. II is possible to find counties unit
ing with counties. cities uniting with
counties. counties cooperating with COM
panies.
One Of the most interesting OF all these
cooperative efforts IS that arranged with
the Chattanooga and Tennessee River
Power Company. The company win
make an automobile road from Chatta-
nooga TO its lock and dam on the Ten
nessee River. then cooperate with county
authorities IN extending II 20 Mont Eagle
and thus link UP with good roads that
will carry the route into Nashville.
Two cases of interstate effort are
worthy Of notlce-the Carolina Heights
Boulevard out OF Augusta. Ca, viii link
up with a good road out OF Aiken, S.
c. A private company in Caswell County.
y. C. is cooperating with the authort-
ties OF Plttsylvania County. Va, on a
tweleve-mlle road into Danville.
These sample cases are symptoms or a
great interstate and inter-county demon
stration OF good sense. The cooperation
between cities and counties is now very
clearly established. An instance OF large
proportions IS the close association be-
tween Atlanta and Fulton County, Ga.
City Helps tho County.
Out in Oklahoma. Chandler stands typi-
cal OF the vigorous plans OF that state
by contributing $4,000 10 Lincoln County.
In Virginia a tripartite agreement exists
between Roanoke, the city. Roanoke
County and Botetourt County. In the
same State Augusta. Nelson and Abe
marie counties are working together.
The most general form OF this type Of
cooperation is in the building OF roads
as feeders TO the cities. the benefits COM
ing TO both city and county These cases
can be found all over the South. Such
cooperation frequently takes its origin
In the discussions OF commercial organi-
zations. The Commercial Club Of Green
Vile, Tex, has pledged Itself 10 spend
$4,000 on the construction Of roads.
Revival OF Turnpike Companies.
A noticeable effect on the present agl-
tation is the revival OF turnpike COM
panies. These have shown up more IN
North Carolina and Tennessee than in
any other States. and can only be ap-
proved as a protest against local slow
ness. They should disappear as soon as
TO all the people and be paid for IN
equal degree by all the people.
The efforts OF land development COM
panies and owners OF resorts and springs
would not come in under this general
statement; for they usually dedicate
their roads TO the public looking for