The Washington herald., 1909-10-10

Denison, Tex, Oct. 9.-Denison is plan
ming a determined fight for macadamized
country roads during the next few months
and most people think the effort will be
successful.
Through the Denison Board Of Trade,
and others interested in Grayson County.
a special road bill was passed at the last
session Of the State legislature. This
bill permits the organization OF any de-
fined political subdivision or any other
district described by metes and bounds
into a special road district which may
construct. maintain. and operate macad-
amized. graveled. or paved roads This
road district may vote bonds upon itself
to any extent not exceeding one-fourth
Of the assessed valuation, the bonds to
run forty years. retiring one annually.
On account Of a constitutional provision.
two-thirds OF the resident property tax
payers voting thereon HHst be favorable
in order to carry such an election The
law provides for the position OF road su-
perintendent II one is desired. and places
the disbursement Of the funds in the
hands Of the county commission. This
special road bill was recognized at once
as being the most satisfactory solution
OF the Texas road problem, and imme-
diately upon its passage a general road
law was modelled thereafter and passed
by a large majority. thus allowing all
other portions Of the State 10 organize
and wage the fight for good roads.
Board Committee Acts.
The Denison Board Of Trade has had In
active operation a good roads committee.
composed OF fifteen members. who have
made thorough study OF the local condi-
tons and who have inspected the roads
which It is proposed TO improve. The as
sessed valuation OF the proposed special
road district has been footed up and It
has been found that including the prop
erty valuation OF DenisOn's 5000 inhab-
itants that It runs 10 a total OF over S.
GOO 900.
The present plan IS TO call FOR bond
issue OF $4,000. This sum will be suf-
hcient 20 improve ffty-hve or sixty miles
Of country roads, or, as It IS expressed by
the committee. the plan is 10 improve the
eleven principal country roads entering
Denison a distance averaging FIVE miles
each. The road Improvement TO the north
OF Denison VIII include three roads which
run 10 ferries and landings on Red River
In a short time these roads will be OF
the utmost value 20 the business interests.
as plans are now under way 10 navigate
Red River and thus secure the great re-
duction of freight rates which naturally
follows such a step. A great portion OF
Oklahoma is directly tributary TO Deni-
son. and viii become available trade ter
r!tOry when the roads are made passable
from Red River to the city.
Starts Educational Campaign.
The Denison Board OF Trade good roads
is outlining an educational
1t IS proposed 10 carry the
coed roads message and propaganda to
every farmer in the road district The
farmers are in a receptive mood on all
road Improvement propositions and when
this one Is explained in full to all each
and every one will be as enthusiastic over
It as are those who have already learned
Of the proposition.
P. NJ. Splcher. of the department OF pub
lie roads. was in Denison at the request
OF the board Of trade. and he made
thorough study Of the various rock for
nations lying adjacent TO almost every
one Of the eleven roads II IS proposed TO
improve. His conclusions were that Den
lson had excellent road building material
lying SO that II might almost be thrown
into the road itself. He made the state
ment. after consideration OF the nature
and extent Of the rock deposits IN the
vicinity of Denlson, Tex, that macadam-
lied roads could be built at minimum
cost. He placed the maximum cost Of
road building. where the material was
not very abundant or accessible at $500
to $4,000 a mile.
In Mr. Spicher's opinion the Denison
roads could be macadamized and innprov-
I'd. including concrete culvert, the reduc-
ton Of grades. the preparing OF the sur
face. arranging for drainage. &c. for a
cost not TO exceed $500 to 5000 a mile.
However. it has been deemed advisable
TO work on the basis that the maximum
cost might be incurred. and in order 10
avoid shortage Of funds It has been de-
sided to ask for the $3.50, 900 bond issue as
above noted. Any surplus may be de-
voted to the improvement Of other roads
Or the extension OF the mileage OF the |
roads that are to be macadamiZed-
Working Out Specifications.
The specifications for the macadamizing
IF the roads have not yet been worked |
'ut in full, but the plan Is laid out that
t shall consist OF two layers, crushed /
separately. The first is to be coarse,line-
stone laid about five inches deep. and the
second IS TO be finely crushed limestone
aid three inches deep.
The roads are to be sixteen feet wide |
and rolled after the most an |
proved methods, and concrete culverts |
VIII be installed at every point where auv
amount Of water crosses the
-oad
Special attention viii Do paid to the
grading and drainage OF the remainder of
he road, and all heavy grades are to he |
ut down as much as possible and ali |
ow places will be filled in. The eoronnIt-
zee IS entering into this campaign with /
very prospect Of success, and there is |
'ut little chance of defeat The present /
)lan TO insure the carrying Of the election |
9 TO circulate the petitions calling for II |
Ind keeping them out until the necessary
majority vote Of the property
taxpayers is represented by signatures |
IN the petitions which call for the cleo
ion @ WILBUR CoONs
Secretary Board Of TradA
VIII Widen the Streets.
The municipal authorities Of Ruenos