The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-12

. hid vo,, notice in yesterdays news re-
sorts ia The Age-Herald that only three
miles are lacking to complete a. good high
Nay between Huntsville and Nashville?
Did YOU notice in the same report that
practically good roads have been con-
etructed between Huntsville and Chatta-
hpoga and Decatur? Also that small sec
hons are needed to complete the route
between Huntsville and Birmingham?
Patches of good roads are scattered all
Hver the state Of Alabama, but there is no
general system connecting counties.
During the past few years number of
counties have through independent action
built improved roads. In many instances
the roads in adjoining counties are almost
impossible.
There should be some general system
covering the state by which the road
work may be made continuous. There Is
another important point arguing for some
general system: Each county that assays
to improve its roads along modern lines
is forced to the necessity of employing its
individual road engineers at enormous ex-
pense. Some counties pay as high as $1,000
salary for an engineer.
When every county in the state employs
an engineer, say at an average of $500
salary per year, a total cost of $1675oe is
entailed. Now, suppose a. state commits
sion is formed and one or two good en-
gineers are employed to supervise the
road building in all the counties of the
state in conjunction with the various
Is 1t not easy to see that there would
be an enormous saving to the people of
the state? Not only this, but there would
be a more uniform system of roads.
1t is more than commendab BILE that many
of the counties have undertaken the task
of building their own roads, but it was in
desperation when It looked as though the
state could or would do nothing.
In the last regular election in Alabama
the people voted for a constitutional
amendment permitting the Legislature to
appropriate money for internal improve
ment. This was understood by the people
as a good roads measure and was SO
voted.
A bill providing for the creation of
state highway commission and the appro-
priation of money for the improvement of
for the reason that under the constitution
the state could not engage in any internal
improvements.
Now the people have removed this disa-
b|lity and there is hardly any question in
view of their action but that they want
the state commission and state aid in
building roads.
Another bill asking for such legislation
will be presented at the next session OF
the legislature, and good roads advocates
are confident that 1t will be enacted into
n law.
1t is believed that all the counties of the
state, including those that have not al
ready attempted to improve their roads.
want state aid and will cooperate hearth
1y in their building.
The State Good Roads association. of
which John Craft Of Mobile is president,
will conduct an active campaign in all the
counties of the state between now and the
day of the next election in an effort to
secure the pledges of legislative members
TO support the proposed road building leg
islation
The state could not appropriate money
for any cause that would be of more
practical benefit to the general public. A
system of good roads over the entire state
would enhance the value of every acre of
9end build up the towns and benefit every
interest in the state.
A uniform system under the direction OF
. state commission would save thousands