Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1910-09-15
GOOD ROADS

vlsors OF GhiCkasaW county requested
the taxpayers el the Third Super
visors District Of the county to as.
semble and discuss The feasibility Of
improving the roads Of the district,
and in response TO this request the
citizens Of TIE district met at the court
house in OkOlona on August 23, and
there was free interchange Of views
upon the subject.
Not being sufficiently advised at that
time the mass meeting appointed a
committee Of representative citizens to
secure ell necessary data upon the
subject and report their findings to an
adjourned meeting to be held at the
court house on Sept 10.
This meeting was held and the
committee reported against attempting
to build roads Of gravel. or stone. or
Of clay and sand as too expensive. as
all this material would have to be
procured out Of the district and county,
and the costs would be prohibiiive.
But the committee reported that the
roads could be much improved BY an
intelligent use Of the material on hand
and that our roads could be properly
lined up. graded. ditched, drained and
otherwise improved at an estimated
cost Of one thousand dollars per mile.
The committee therefore recommended
an issuance Of $4,000 in bonds for
that purpose. estimating that this
amount would place at least 80 miles
in the district in 6rst-class condition.
This report of the committee was ap-
proved and adopted by The meeting.
Now. Mr.. Editor. it seems to us
that this action ought to meet with the
hearty approval Of all our citizens.
There is nothing enhances the value
Of property more. or adds as much to
the convenience and comfsrt Of peo-
pie as good roadways, With good
roads the transportation problem oI
traffic between the country and city is
simpli6ed. Whilst the size Of the load
carried can be increased, the strain on
the stock and the wear Of the vehicle
is Iessened. The saving in this re-
spect alone is enough to Justify the
cost
Now. let US consider as to the cos
Of the plan proposed BY the commit
tee. The $4,000 worth Of bond.
proposed 10 be issued will bear six per
cent. interest per annum. This will
make yearly interest charge Of
$500. There will also have to be
a sinking fund provided Tor to take ar
the bonds at maturity. We are today
paying something over $500 road tas
in this district. used in an unscientihC
method Of Matching and renairina. n
saying this we mean no criticism OF
our Board Of Supervisors, as ihess
gentlemen are conscienliously doinG
the best they can with the means a
their disposal. This $500 we ar,
already paying in taxes would NEE
The interest charge on the bonds anc
give US S1400 as a yearly sinking fund
which, # placed at interest woul,
probably be sufficient to take up th,
bonds in entirety. We would thus
have the $4,000 in a lump sum with
which to improve our roads, and Be
enabled to repay it With the money W,
are nov collecting and dribblinl
away. Alter the roads are one,
thoroughly put in condition a smal
repair fund that would probably cos
us a one-hall mill tax would Be sulf
eient The Government proposes t
furnish Us a civil engineer 10 lay Of
The work and give proper speei6oa
lions. without cost 10 Us, except 70
livery expenses.
Even i We are mistaken as to th,
amount Of additional lax il would re
auire. st the outside # could not b
over Two mills. which would Be al II.
rass Of s. On the $1,000 Of assessed
property We are cop6dent. however
that no such tx viii berequired. 0u