The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-14
SMITH SAYS COUNTY WILL UNANIMOUSLY
 FAVOR BOND ISSUE
Thinks City and Rural Districts of One Accord as to Need
 of Good Roads
NEW COURTHOUSE MAY
 FOLLOW AS A SURETY
to Series of Expressions Regarding Million Dollar Bond Issue
 for Good Roads

That a bond issue for s1,000,o 900 with which to put the roads of this coun- ty in good shape would find favor with the people at this time, Is the opinion of Ross c. Smith. MT. Smith yester- day discussed road conditions both outside of Greater Birmingham and in the city limits. In addition to indors- ing the issue of $1,000,000 for road work MT. Smith called attention to the bad condition of the roads travers- ing the cities absorbed to create Great CT Birmingham and said that some re- lief N Id be given to the affected portion, of the city.
 He said that the two divided fac ions of the past-the city and county are now in perfect accord on almost every topic due to the closer relations of the two. He said the farmers are for the issue, as President w. A. Nor his followers, and that the city man was unquestionably for it. In discuss ing the two features MT. Smith said: :
 "I have no doubt that the Board of Revenue could be successful at this time in a bond issue of $1,000.00o for the betterment of road conditions in this county. The conditions are admit tedly bad on country roads and the achievement of better conditions would be valuable alike to the farmer and the city man. Really the farmer would be benefited more than any other class of people for the reason that their trips to the center of things-the cities would be materially lessened and the cost of them reduced.
 No Dissension Now
 Tn the past the have been charges of selfishness on the part of the farm CTS as directed against the city peo pie. This has caused a division of votes on many important matters such as the courthouse bond issue Such a feeling does not exist now and the two classes were never before so near to- gether. The automobile has proven effective in getting the farmer and bus mess man to see the good of cooper ation in every possible way, as they come, together more frequently now by this new transportation method.
 q noticed in The Age-Herald sev eral months ago a statement from Pres ident Morris of the Farmers union glad to support a bond issue for better roads. I believe MT. Morris reflects the best opinion of their sentiment and believe with him that the issue would be popular insthe country. As for the city, there is really little doubt bat that it would be a go.
 If this county would improve the roads in a lasting. permanent way, the prosperity and progress of the com munity would be more rapid and more substantial. Good roads attract people and demonstrate the progressiveness of a community.
 "Just at this time when we read of s2o o00, 900 being spent by one com pany, $2,000,0O by another and other any real trouble to influence the voters to issue $1.O0o.O0o for better roads as we are accustomed to big things and can undertake great work. Birmingham and Jefferson county are growing too fast and have become far too large to allow anything to stand In the way of an issue for better roadways in this county"
 Streets in Bad Shape
 ..In this connection" continued MT Smith, who resides beyond East Lake at his country home. 'I see great trou- ble brewing in the city street condf- tions. At this time the streets in the city are in bad shape in many places often see where a property owner or some one digs up the street to put down pipe or make connections. The work is not replaced properly and the result Is a big hole or other detriment to the former good road It would be we'll for the city commissioner to sec that whoever digs up the street re- places it in the former way and not allow the tearing up of the streets for minor purposes.
 There cannot he any hardship worked upon any one by requiring that no damage be done the streets of the city. I have noted a great many ruts and gullies formed in the streets of the citv through careless replacements which should not be tolerated by the
 .4 oeioars If T desire to remove the