The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-07-30
GOOD ROADS
No Longer 4 Problem Under
State Aid
Plan To Be Voted Upon On
September 3


plans for improved highways as en-.
compassed In the system purposed by
the state highway department and the
Ohio Good Roads Federation they will
will be found among its heartiest sup.
porters.
Under this system, which contains
nothing Of perplexity in 1t, but is as
simple as a sum in addition It Is an
absolute benefit to them in an official
way and when put into operation will
win the gratitude Of their constituents
and no longer will they be turdened
with the angry but justified complaints
of property owners who want to know
why in the name of all that is good
the roads are not placed in better
condition. In most Of the counties OF
the state under conditions, as they are
at present. the Improvement and main
tenance of the main roads-the roads
which connect county seat with county
seat and over which travel is much
the heaviest and most frequent takes
very large part of the money set
aside for highway work. The result
Is that the small roads, which lead in.
to these. are neglected and largely
left to shift for themselves except as
ambitious property owners, inspired
by sense of self protection and resi-
Dental pride, take 1t upon themselves
to make repairs.
While 1t is the intention for each
township to look after Its own roads
and money is set aside for that pur.
pose so large share of II is taken to
use on teh main throuoghfares that
but a meager amount is left for the
township highways.
Under the state aid plan this will be
done away with and done away with
effectually. Let us see what the state
aid plan purposes to do. II the vot-
ers of the state ratify, at the election
on September 8, the issuing of $780,
900, 900 in bonds this Is to be used ex-
clusively for the building Of the main
roads. Not penny, nor fraction of
penny. wil. 80 ,fOr the Improvement
Of the so-called lateral roads leading
into the main driveways.
Now. stop, look and listen. The
county commissioners and the town.
ship trustees will have the money
which they must at present expend to
keep up the main roads to use on the
roads leading into them and no longer
will Farmer Jones, just because ne
lives or from the principal thorough
fares In his county be compelled to
drive through seas Of mud during
many seasons of the year and never
have q really good road at the best.
Note the result. In few years
there will be complete system ol
highways In the state Of modern con
struction over which load of twice
the average present tonnage can bt
hauled at half the expense. The sur
will not rise and fall upon a single da,
In the year that the rural resident can
not go to town with ease leaving M
fear of breakdown and knowing he car
get back home the same day.
Equally benefited will be the urbar
resident for he can 60 into the countr!
with wife and children, Viewing tn,
landscape as he joys along instead o
keeping eyes strained to see ru
ahead.
Now, under the state wide plan th'
expense is to be distributed amonl
the different counties Of Ohio and eacl
will bear It's proportion OF the tota
cost. The $4,000, 900 In bonds will b.
used exclusively for the improving o
the main roads and therefore thu
funds OF township and county now 90
Ing for that purpose can be diverted
to the upbuilding Of the roads leadinl
into these. u
To commissioners and trustees thi
ought to appeal with particular force
No longer will ill-pleased voters b.
storming at their doors demandinl
why their highways are In such poo
repair. No longer will horses strait
and pull and grow weary endeavorinl
to pull loads over almost impassabl
roads. The good housewife will no
need to keep the light burning late a
night waiting for the belated HUSBAND
who. she knows, Is houndering alonI
. road deep with mud and losing hi
temper with every step of the tire
horses.
Ohio can be best equipped state Il
the Union In the matter of highwa
Improvement. 1t can save to the pee
pie millions OF dollars a year In tn
matter OF transportation. The higl
cost Of living will go soaring dow
like the thermometer In cold spell
All classes Of people will be benefits
while the percapita cost will be bu
ifty-three cents year and the ia
rate will never 90 beyond fourteenth
Of n mill