The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-05-17
FOR BETTER HIGHWAYS.

FOR BETTER HIGHWAYS.
Everyone knows, in a general
way, the value of good roads.
The opposition to issuing bonds
for the purpose Of securing them
if opposition there is-Nill be |
found in almost every instance
to be due to some misunder-
standing about the matter.
Most of US are opposed to what
we do not understand. Interest
and sinking fund for bonds in |
the sum of $500, 900 could be
provided for about what is be-
ing paid in road taxes now in
R1beson, and the increased val
ue of land and other advantages
that follow in the wake of good
roads would make it much
easier for those who come after
US to pay the bonds than to pay
the taxes that would be necessary
to keep up the temporary make
shifts that answer for roads
now. 1t is not a question of
cost. Good roads are not ex-
pensive; it's bad roads that are
expensive-too expensive for
any section to afford.
In commenting favorably upon
The Robesonian's remarks in its
issue of the Sd on this subject,
when it was suggested that a
good roads association be formed
for the purpose of waging a
campaign for bond issue, The
Wilmington Star submits some
remarks that are to the point:
The Morning State has always
taken a deep interest in the good
roads movement in this State,
and it is specially gratifying
when the counties adjacent to
Wilmington inaugurate a move
ment for better rural highways.
In this flat country the roads are
execrable and the farmers have
no idea of their costliness. The
farmer who gets his produce to
market easily and quickly over
good roads, saves money by il
it, hence good roads are money
makers. We have learned that
object lesson in New Hanover
county, and those who travel
along our improved roadways in
the different sections of the
county will note the wonderful
development that has been
brought about by better high.
ways. Not only do the truckers
and farmers reach market with
less trouble and with decided
economy, but the great increase
in farm values very signally
emphasizes the vital importance
of good roads.
There is a vast territory in
Eastern North Carolina, tribu.
tary to Wilmington, that is ca.
pable of enormous production Il
there were only settlers to take
up the land, or if there were
good roads for the use of the
inhabitants already engaged in
farming and trucking. Coco
roads will not only afford better
facilities to the people already
settled around US but improved
highways will induce immigra.
ton. The lands are fertile anc
once it is known that we have
thousands of acres of land o.
great productiveness, cheap fol-
the settler, and good roads t.
boot, we will see thousands OF
settlers coming to Eastern Car
DINA.
This section is naturally the
garden spot for New York anC
other great cities, for it is ca.
pable of producing a great va.
rlety of early crops, and there is
the one great advantage that we
are in easy and quick reach OF
the great markets over a great
trunk railway that daily sends
trains of refrigerator cars to ali
points North. The facilities for
handling produce are ideal and
our, nearness to the big cities
makes this a logical region that
is really inviting if not enticinp
TO settlers. If we but take adj.
vantage of our resources and op-
portunities, we will see a great
movement of settlers in this d.
rection."
The Lumberton Robesonian
started The Star off on This
question, and this article was
begun to endorse an editorial of
that esteemed contemporary
urging a good roads camoaign
IN Robson county.
1t IS a fact that Robson
county is one of the most fertile
III the State, and whcp he re-
sources OF the county ar .Naown
and good roads are built to make
tnose resources available, there is
bound to be a great DEVELOPMENT
IN Ine county. The Star hopes
10 see the people of Robson act
promptly npon The Robesonian's
suggestion. 1t is a question of
exceedingly great Importance"
"A recent publication by the
United States Department of
-