Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-08
BOND ISSUE FOR GOOD ROADS
PROPOSITION ENDORSED BY
ALEXANDRIA COUNTY CITIZENS

Good roads for Alexandria county. Va,
was the subject of discussion at a meeting
of leading citizens at the home of George
H. Rucker. the county clerk. last night
At previous meeting at the home of
DR.. ]. Taber Johnson committee was
appointed to work out a plan for the
proposed improvement and present sug-
gestions for raising the money. The mem
hers named were: DR.. Johnson. w. c.
W-ilbert, DR.. p. NJ Rixey. A. B. Graham
and George Z. Garrett, and they were
directed to report in two weeks.
Among those present last night were
County Supervisors w. N. Febrey and
F. C. Corbett, A. D. Torreyson, county
vice president of the Virginia Good Roads
Association: County Surveyor George E.
Garrett. Admiral Rixey, DR.. Johnson,
Frank Upman, S. p Wright. C. H. Great
house. Ernest Febrey, r. c. l.. Moncure
and E. 3. Calvert.
DR.. Johnson, who was chairman. with
Frank Cpman as secretary. presented the
committee report. 1t had been found that
there are Seventy-twO and one half miles
of roads in the county, which were divided
into forty-one miles of main lines and
thirty-one miles of side roads. 1t was
estimated that 1t will require $4,000 mile
to make good roads of the first class and
5000 a mile for the second class. This
will call for the expenditure of 100000.
approximately. and 1t was proposed to
raise this amount by the issue of bonds.
The plans for the work. according to
the report, are to be drawn up by State
Engineer Wilson and County Surveyor
Garrett. and the construction of the
roads. including the expenditure of the
money. will be in the control and under
the direct supervision of the state high
way officials. In this way. 1t was be-
lieved by the committee. local jealousies
over what roads should be first built
would be avoided and all suspicion o.
graft eliminated. The kind of bonds. in
Guiding length of term and rate of In
terest, also is to be left to the state
authorities.
No Increase in Taxation.
1t was pointed out in the committees
statement that practically no addition
TO the present taxes would be necessary.
as only the interest would be to pay. and
sinking fund provided. while about
5000 year would be received
from the state and some $4,000 a year
now expended on road repairs would no
longer be needed for that purpose and
could be devoted to interest and sink
ing fund
The discussion opened with the state
ment by Mr.. Moncure that under the
law only a fixed per cent of the county
assessment could be raised by the issue
of bonds. This would limit the bonds.
under the present assessment. to S225.O00.
Furthermore. in the call for a vote on
the subject 1t would be necessary to
state precisely what roads are to be i'm
proved and how much is to be spent on
each section
Mr.. Rucker suggested that an issue Of
$4,000 could be voted now and later the
additional $4,000 could be provided for.
Near Lynchburg a first issue of $4,000,
he said. had been easily raised to $780,
900 when the advantages from the roads
built by the first issue became known.
1t was pointed out that the assessment
made next year will show great in
crease in taxable property and thus raise
the limit of the bond issue.
Mr.. Torreyson said he had made the last
two assessments and each time the in
crease had been large, at the last amount
ing to 100000. There had been 200 houses
built within a. mile of the courthouse
since February last. and new buildings
alone within that time would make an
increase of 100000.
After further remarks. in which nearly
every person present took part, 1t was vot-
ed that a committee be named by the
chairman to include himself and Mr.:
Torreyson to arrange for a mass meeting
at the courthouse, whre the proposals
will be fully discussed. State Engineer
Wilson and State Secretary Charles Las
sitter of the highway commission are
among the speakers to be called upon for
the meeting and IL is expected that some
OF the experts from the Office of public
Will be present.
County Association Projected.
II was also voted that county good
roads association shall be formed at
this meeting. The formal call is TO be
made under the authority of Vice Presi-
dent Torreyson of the State Roads As
ISOLATION.
Surveyor Garrett, who has been at work
on the survey for the proposed road from
Washington to Alexandria, stated that
this highway will almost certainly be
built before the bond issue is made: also
that three-quarters OF a mile out of Ross
lyn will probably be constructed with
state aid, as an object lesson road. and
both these can be deducted from the nee
essary expenditure, as calculated.
The meeting ought to be called at once,
il was agreed, so as to hold an election
about the time of the regular election in
November; but ii will be necessary to
have separate voting places. as each vote
must be given publicly and recorded. For
the law requires that three-ifths of the
freehoders of the county shall be re-
corded in favor of the proposed bond
hsue.