The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-05-11

abroad and was circulated widely
that that department OF the state
government was merely one to pro-
vide an Office or two. The legisla-
ture itself seems not to have had a
proper appreciation of the depart
ment and dts importance to the
state.
Designing politicians willingly lent
aid to the erroneous declaration that
1t was not an efficient department,
the charge being largely based on
the assumption that the head of the
department had but little knowl-
edge of the subject OF good roads
or road-making. Mr.. Charles p
Light was the head of the depart
ment, and, of course, when the leg
islature abolished the department It
decapitated him officially so far as
West Virginia was concerned.
Mr.. Lights aptitude, energy, en-
thusiasm and earnestness, as well
as the great progress made by him
in putting new department into
operation and bringing 1t UP to a
point where it was about to become
.capably effective in producing
splendid results had arrested
the attention of the Ameri-
can Association for the I'M
provement of National Highways
and the state of West Virginia had
no sooner dispensed with his SER
vices than that great and useful or
ganization enlisted them. The as
ISOLATION soon learned that 1t had
made no mistake and 1t has full
knowledge now that It possesses on
Its official star man that knows
how and does arouse public interest
in the subject of good roads, one
more vital to West Virginia at pres
ent than any other
What may be put on foot at the
meeting here Thursday remains to
be seen, but 1t is hoped that steps
OF some kind may be taken that
will result in giving Harrison coun-
ty greatly improved highways at a
minimum cost. The Telegram be
lieVes that there should he included
In the movement the suggestion thai
the legislature re-establish the state
department of roads, though 1t may
find 1t necessary and advisable to
make some radical changes. If SUI
pervlsion counts at all, 1t certainly
does in respect to roads. The state
department. of schools seems to be
acceptable to all. Why should not
state department OF roads be re-
garded just as necessary?
To impress those who will attend
the mass meeting here Thursday
that good roads cost less than bad
ones, the Telegram reproduces the
following editorial taken from the
uniontown, Pa, News Standard:
THE statement of Charles P.
Light, representing the American
Association for the Improvement OF
National Highways, that Ale
gheny county spends 100000 more
on her roads annually than the en-
tire state OF Weat Virginia, speaks
we'll for that cour+y, but his further
statements, thaA ilegheny county
has but five perSc OF the roads OF
the state improved and that we
have $4,000 miles OF dirt roads I'M
improved, do not speak SO we'll for
The rest of US. Allegheny has made
a splendid record in road improve
ment. Mr.. Light shows from gov
ernment reports, that the people OF
the state would have saved S,000,-
600 last year II there had been good
roads upon which to transport prod
ucts. That estimate makes a loss
OF at least 100000 to Fayette
county. The latter sum properly ex-
pended would make a good start to-
ward good roads. On our bad roads
the cost of hauling a ton per mile is
"a cents; on Allegheny's good roads
the cost per ton is about cents
per mile. Bad roadc cost more than
good ones