The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-08-17
RADICAL SUGGESTION.

mas onereo T2Qtcai Suggestions All SoA-
nection with the selling of several Of
the States farms where convicts have
been employed in growing cotton, corn
and farm products.
Possibly this suggestion was reached
from the report of disaster to the cotton
crop on those farms this year.
If, according to the plan of Governor
Sanders, the farms were sold, the con-
victs could be transferred on the high
ways in the construction of good roads.
Unquestionably Governor Sanders is an
enthusiast on good roads, but an excess
of zeal may be dangerous, if unchecked,
In our opinion the suggested sale of the
States farms, with the view of applying
the convicts in road-making, is ill-ad-
vised. It would be a radical departure
which would lead to disaster, involving
the State in debt, which could not be
justified, by whatever result may be
obtained in road-making.
Practice is more valuable than theory,
and the experiment by practice should
be developed and demonstrated as being
more substantial, lasting and profitable.
While public highways, such as the
Governor has in mind, are desirable.
they are not constructed in days, weeks
nor months, but require years of time
perseverance and much money.
The State should hold to its farms
from which, as reported officially, proht
has been obtained excepting this year
While the enthusiasts are urging the
construction of good roads, not figuring
the cost, practical men who are view
ing such construction conservatively
do not share in the Governors enthnsi.
asnl. For example, the Times-Demo
crat of recent date contains commune
cations bearing on the road question
as proposed for construction along tn
Mississippi; river. A citizen writing
from St. James August IS. among
score Of good reasons, says: The levet
boards are asked to aid. and have prom
ised aid. What are the financial condi
tons of these boards? Actually the.
are not able to keep up their own repair
work, and the grass and weeds on SOM
of their ievees have not been moved
down for want of funds. yet we are tolt
that they favor going into road-build
inc. Let those who favor road-buildint
60 among their constituents and the.
will learn that It is easy to propose bu
very difficult Of execution. The none.
is not available anywhere in the Unitet
States. The proposed road would no
be permanent on account of the softnes
of the soil in the stages of high waite
and the constant removal of levees from
year to year. Another right of wa,
could not be secured, and removal o
the road from its present location mean
= menace to the people during higl
water"
Another citizen, B. A. colomb. o
Colomb. la, writing on August II
says:
~In my opinion the proposed egoo'
roads" along the Mississippi river vii
mean to the property owners and tax
payers
sFirst-That 60 per cent of them vii
have to move their front fences, incu
the expense and donate some more LAM
shat the last new levees failed to take
Second That 10 per cent of then
viii have to move their residence:
stores, etc.
Third-That 100 per cent of then
will then provide the money to max
the roads good.
"EDurth-That the good road wi
then be turned over to the Rapid Tran
sit Automobile Line from New 0rlean
for racing purposes, with speed limi
of Fifty miles per hour.
Sixth That the taxpayer can so o.
providing money to keep the good roa
good.
S<tS4s4Bt-S W 1t4tS t1tS WIN ShASA ~
and himself can ride and drive over tn
lesee. through the fields. or stay a
home.
Eiehth-That the State viii be sad
died by good roads commission.
Nintla-That every parish will b
saddIed with . good roads warden.
"Tenth-That the administration wi
have that much more publiv pap I
hand around.
AThe people Of New Orleans are be
ginning to realize what the sewerag
and water system means to the averag
properly holder in that city. The peopl
al the State are now in position t
Judge what the good roads comrnissio
viii Be. BY comparing Il with the Gam
Commission, Oyster Commission, cts.
Il should be patent to every msn VIII
will reflect eonservasively that what
ever BE the enthusiasm for good road
Ghzt Il mist 1t least be based on prac
iEczl execution. il success instead Q
failure s desired.
The stste nog he people q the PAL
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