The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-19

pense of the adjoining property and such provement The county assumes respon- sibility for the building of a road. is- sues bonds If necessary for the actual cost of building and charges the amount to the property owners just as street im- provements are made In the cities.
 "A petition signed by a majority of property owners secures the improvement of certain piece of road. If the offi- cers of the county consider 1t to the road they build 1t. even against the will of the property owners and assess the property.
 My recollection Is that the sections ly- ing on such improved roads are assessed 50 per cent of the cost. the next section 30 per cent and the third section from the road 20 per cent. The property own CTS have the option of paying the full assessment in one year or they may ex- tend payments over period of 10 years. The cost is from 50 cents to s1.5o per acre of land affected or assessed.
 "The states in the middle west are building good roads in this way and the people are pleased with the method.
 This appears to me to be the best and fairest plan for the building of good roads in Alabama or any other state. A bond issue is never satisfactory to all the people, Under the plan proposed every citizen gets what he pays for and pays for what he gets. It is the cheapest ax.d hx, fn, "Of course If the state and federal governments will assist in the build Ing of roads we would all like to have 1t, but progressive and intelligent peo- pie are not going to sit down and walt for such aid. Alabama Is in the mud | and will stay In the mud a long time If we wait for government aid. Improved roads always enhance values of farm lands more than the
 expense of building the roads, and ev- cry farm In Alabama can we'll afford l to pay its share of such expense City property will still bear its just share of cost for the maintenance of roads and bridges in the state assess l ment for such purposes. Good roads benefit the people in the cities as well as those who live In the country but they should not be called upon to bear the double burden of building streets and paying a larger proportion of the cost of building rural highways" T have only been a citizen of Bir- mingham few weekB but am already one of the most enthusiastic boosters in the town," declared A. c. Sexton, late state deputy insurance commissioner, yesterday.
 T am proud of Birmin gh am's show Ing in the census and the ease with which it handles large crowds as dem onstrated during the state fair" Congressman J. Thomas Hefiin, who was in Birmingham yesterday to take part in the democratic rally at the Jefferson theatre last night, Is one of the best storytellers in the state, Here Is a good one:
 While up in Randolph county cam- paigning during the recent prohibition amendment fight l talked with a typ ical mountaineer. He was an old man with patriarchal whiskers and had a quiet, unruffled disposition. He deliv- cred himself about thus: Now, am an old man and have always been peace able. but when them thar prohibition fellers come to sarch my house they will Just about find me in a bad hu mor.'"
 "The officers of the Alabama State Fair association have fully demon strated that they can hold a big and successful fair in Birminsham," said P. D. Pegram, the well known real estate man, yesterday.
 "The event that has just closed was really a great success in every way and was not only a big advertisement for Birmingham but for the entire state. I think Col. Reuben F. Kolb's suggestion that the state should be asked for permanent aid for the fair is a god one and should be followed up.
 "The state should appropriate a good sum every year as prizes for agricul- tural and other exhibits, showing the progress and possibilities of the state. The state could spend its money in no l