The Washington herald., 1909-10-10
b. G. GRosvEXOR DAVE.

Let no one imagine that the big bond
issues in the South for good roads repre-
sent an orgie 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 70 be-
gin with, is evidence OF caution and a
sense OF responsibility 10 the public whose
money IS being spent
One county is paying $4,000 TO q skilled
man in order that $4,000 may be spent
10 the best advantage. In many counties
the officials are looking TO the Office OF
public roads IN Washington for tech
meal guidance.
ImpuLSe Il Cooperative.
The cooperative impulse created my the
good roads sentiment IS one OF the most
encouraging features OF this whole mat
ter. II is cooperation based upon the
cOmmon-sense view that a road well-laid
out TO the county line and then touching
one OF worthless character Is largely an
effort nullihed In almost all Southern
States that are active in the matter OF
roads. but particularly in those affected
by the great interstate highways pro-
posed Il is possible 10 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 Will
make an automobile road from Chatta-
nooga 20 its lock and dam on the Ten
nessee River. then cooperate with county
authorities IN extending it 10 Mont Eagle
and thus link up with good roads that
will carry the route into Nashville
Two cases OF interstate effort are
worthy Of notice-the Carolina Heights
Boulevard out OF Augusta. Ca. viii link
up with a good road out OF Aiken. 5.
c. A private company in CasWell County.
n. C, is cooperating with the authori-
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 TO Lincoln County.
In Virginia a tripartlts agreement exists
between Roanoke, the city, Roanoke
County and Botetourt County In the
same State Augusta. Nelson and Abe
marie counties are working together.
Tho 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-
cations. The Commercial Club Of Green
vile. Tex. has pledged Itself to spend
$4,000 on the construction Of roads.
Revival OF Turnpike Companies.
A noticeable effect on the present agi-
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
possible. for ali the roads should belong
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