The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-08-09
DR.. Pratt'S Address

5000 NP0A
lne question of the best method of
raising funds for building roads. He
ADVISED the county bond issue plan,
IN preference to the township system.
how much more economical
and satisfactory the county plan
would be over the township.
In the latter not only would the
multiplication Of officials prove very
expensive, but the absence of a sys-
tematlc plan. would cause great dis
satisfaction if not actually prevent
the further good road development.
township bond issue plan should
not be adopted unless his county
plan failed.
Colonel Grimes Speaks.
Secretary of State J.. Bryan Grimes.
following DR.. Pratt. referred to him
as the great good roads apostle of
North Carolina, and was warmly ap-
plauded.
Colonel Grimes gave a fine history
or Pitt county's progress, quoting sta
tistics to show how Pitt in the past
few years had marched up to the
front in property increase, education-
al development, and public progress
along all lines. It was a recognized
leader in agricultural progress. rank
ing now among the first of the coun-
ties Of the State. It's taxable ope
ty had Increased in the past few
years from four million dollars to
over seven million dollars. Although
twenty years ago the census report
showed a decrease of population, the
last report showed a big increase,
and q still greater increase of pOpu-
latiOn would be shown by the pres
ent census Applying these facts,
Colonel Grimes said that there re-
manned now a last public improve
ment step by Pitt county, and that
was a 0n-0norotJ1ya nffnrt IN o,r
good roads. Pitt county is greatly
favored with transportation facilities,
with navigable streams in three sec
tons of he county. and railroads in
every section. But there now re-
NAMED the one question of good
roads, which run by every mans
front gate, and directly concerned
every citizen in town or country.
The people have slept on their
rights, and have allowed this water
transportation to be denied them, by
negiecting to keeping the streams
open, and of preventing the rail
roads from shutting them out. there
by keeping up high freight rates,
Let Congress secure to us the inland
transportation would again be estab-
lished.
Opposes State Aid
Colonel Crimes, referring to the
resolution of the Wrightsville Good
Roads Convention resolution, asking
for State aid, sale he was opposed to
it, The counties were able to help
themselves, and should not call Oh the
State. Pitt county could build her
roads for 5000 a mile. and for S225,
and could have an elegant system Of
roads all over the county, and Pitt
was amply able to do this. and did
not need to call for State aid. (Great
applause.)
Colonel Grimes then described the
ogre that was being already made
in road work, with convicts, saying il
might be that roads could finally be
built his way, but, after giving the
annual cost of this road work, he said
it would pay the interest on a 5000
900 bond issue. over twice the amount
of funds needed. He preferred the
county bond issue to the township
plan, if 1t was found necessary tc
adopt one or the Their.
Better roads would mean better
mail facilities.
The parcels post ought to be estab-
Iished, and such a bill passed. When
it comes the good road question will
enter greatly into the opportunity OF
each citizen for getting its benefits.
Colonel Grimes spoke earnestly for
the parcels post, and urged Congress
! man Small TO get congress 70 give the
public this partial right, which every
other civilized people enjoy. In Ger
many a parcel could be sent LOCO
| for 80 cents. Here it can not be sent
at all. because the great express com
panies oppose it. (Great applause. }
His conclusion. strongly advising
increased educational and ~agricultu-
raj development and progressive CO
operative action along public improve
want 1inaS hrnlpht rounds of aDDI9NSe
from the large audience.
Colonel Grimes Is a citizen OF Pitt,
and was plainly a favorite one.
President White. at the conclusion
of Colonel Grimes speech, at i
O'Clock expressed the great satisfac-
ton of the Pitt county organization
and the large attendance and great
interest. and AMI the able ex-
perts who had spoken.
He then adjourned h meeting I'M
til E.3O o'clock. when the United
States Department of Agriculture