The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-10

indication is not safe. In 1904 Louisiana
was the most backward Of all Southern
States IN the proportion OF good roads: out
OF 24.S97 miles OF roads II had twenty
six graveled and eight shelled. There Is
now a stir all through the State. for the
past few years have opened the eyes OF
OF Louisiana 20 the important part II is
TO play In national affairs through It's
minerals and its crops. This is reelected
IN a good-roads agitation that has gripped
Gov. Jared Sanders and placed him 20
the forefront OF the effort.
within two months a great meeting
was held IN Baton Rouge. whose imme
date result win be 100 miles OF fine road
possibly running along the tops Of broad
ened and strengthened levees-frOm Ba-
ton Rouge TO New Orleans. About the
middle OF November another meeting win
be held IN New Orleans 20 strengthen
this particular project. To-day the COM
mercial organizations OF the State are
meeting In Monroe and will come out
strong for good roads.
Some narrow critics are endeavorlng
to make it appear that Gov. Sanders
does not care about the rest OF the state,
but he is going right along on broad
plans. seeming to have an ambition to be
the good roads governor OF the State.
"A few OF the more interesting events
in the good-roads effort OF Louisiana are
the construction OF three miles OF model
road in CatahOula Parish: the determine
ton at Caddo Parish TO build 100 miles OF
good roads in two years; the agreement
OF Jefferson Parish TO spend 5000 year
for ten years and TO place the whole mat
ter under the direction OF the state en-
gineers highway from Shreveport 20
Mansfield. IN the construction OF which
} the State will assist.
Those who have not given much con-
} sideration to the difficulties confronting
! louisiana need to be reminded that much
OK the southern portion Is Gliuyial and
! road material is difficult to get. The en-
; richment Of the State by gas. oil, salt.
b rice, and sugar VIII work marvellous
! changes in few years. In many places.
b however. the wisest plan IS the water
highway, serving TO drain as well as to
transport.
Maryland Votes No Bonds.
The northeast corner OF the South IS
/ Maryland. and owing 10 rs location, its
small sizes. and its early development its
problems along the line OF good roads are
different from those OF the States lying
south Of the Potomac and the Ohio The
important thing for other Southern States
to note is that Maryland keeps right
along on good-roads work. From March
TO date contracts have been let or bids
} advertised for affecting 1891 miles Of
rural roads
There are two influences at work on
the roads OF the State-the county com
missioners, who are creating and main
tanning roads along the usually approved
! lines. and the State roads commission,
which eo-operates with the counties in
the construction OF permanent roads that
embody plans and specifications prepared
with the active help OF tho state geologi-
cal survey.
Mississippi Lays Behind.
mississippi has voted $4,000 on bonds
since March. The State does not appear
to have risen to the need OF the day.
There are two or three encouraging fea-
lures. Coahoma County. on delta land.
VIII bond itself in $4,000; Jackson Coun-
ty will spend $4,000. part OF II IN a shell
road from PesCagoula 10 Moss Point;
Jefferson Davis County will undertake
the construction OF $50 miles: Kinds
County, through its commercial body OF
way to better things
within two weeks a good roads meet
ing was held at Gulfport. and the conta-
gion viii rapidly spread. IN the remarks
on Alabama reference was made to a
possible road 10 Scranton, which will
have its good effects.
North Carolina Active.
AT last we reach the State within
whose confines Disappointing is held.
North Carolina in twelve counties has
voted S1,640.000 in bonds since March.
This places It fifth In the Southern
States. North Carolina was the only
State in the whole South that had bond
questions every month from March to
September. inclusive
more than three times as many coun-
ties are working actively on their roads
and throughout the State the picturesque
and the practical sides Of good road maxi
ms are having equal effect in placing the
highways OF North Carolina abreast Of
its remarkable manufacturing develop
ment during the past twenty years. Some
interesting features OF North Carolina
activity will be referred to elsewhere. but
= this point it is fair TO emphasize 70
the State the value accruing to it from
such citizen as Joseph Hyde Pratt. to
whom much Of the credit OF this inter
state meeting IS due
Oklahoma Wants Roads.
In road bond votes since March Okla
homa stands fourth with Sl,75O,O0O. The
proposed bond issue Of $4,000 for Mus
kogee County was withdrawn. The show
ing already made by this newest OF all
Southern States is one to inspire all 9TH
ers. In 1883 nonexistent, in 1904 with "A. 25S
miles Of road Of various types. Now, in
1909. abreast OF all and ahead OF some In
graphing with the road problem as Il az
fects State prosperity.
In the census OF 1910 no figures will be
more eagerly scanned than those which
set forth Oklahoma and her accomplished
deeds. Owing to the presence of good
material IN large quantities, according to
State Geologist Gould. the State can be
depended on to give a good showing in
good roads.
South Carolina has voted no road
bonds since March. In fact the proposed
100000 for Spartanburg County and $780,
900 for Newberry County were both de-
feated. Apart from these facts. you have
learned from Commissioner E. ]. Watson
and President r. II. Hyatt what South
Carolina "a doing and means to do.
Tennessee Stands Second,
Tennessee has voted 100000 in road
bonds since March. The issues for Wash
ington County Csi59OOO). Monroe County
(SlOo,ooO). and Hickman County $4,000
were defeated The favorable votes were
in most cases for solid amounts-Knox
County, $4,000; Sullivan County. 100000;
Blount County, 5000 Anderson County.
100000; McMinn County. $4,000, ana so
on down.
The legislature Of Tennaasaa ~. g. d.