Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-01-30
MORE ABOUT GOOD ROADS.
BY L. NJ. HEWITT.


There have been so many conjec-
lures as to why the people of Bryan
are so solidly in favor of the good
roads bond issue that it has been
thought best to publish the true facts.
1t will be remembered that the first
action was taken and the initial work
was done by the Commercial Club.
The Commercial Clubs avowed pur-
pose was to improve the conditions in
Brazos county, in order to increase
the productive resources. There was
no pretense of philanthropy about it;
it was a plain business proposition.
Every business man knows that the
greater prosperity of the farmer means
the greater prosperity of the business
center Any expenditure which will
increase the profits on the products OF
the soil increases the general wealth
of the county, and an equal share OF
the benefit must come to the trade
center. A general good roads commit
tee was finally appointed, to have full
charge of the plans for district or
county bond issue. The first plan con-
templated a road district to reach out
about eight miles each way. 1t was
argued that the successful demonstra.
ton of good road building in this dis
trict would encourage the formation
of other districts to join the first one,
and in time the entire county would
be covered with system of good
roads. The question was raised as to
whether Bryan would ever be able to
assist in any additional districts with
an additional tax-Bryan being the
heaviest taxpayer OF the county-and
! it was discovered that If Bryan were
included in a good roads district it
could never assist another independ-
ent good roads district. The sentiment
of the committee was-and it so re-
ported to the Commercial Club-that
the bond issue and good roads work
should be made countrywide, in order
to allow every part Of the county to
benefit by the railroad and city tax
1t must be understood that in max
ing county proposition instead of a
district proposition the Commercial
Club realized that all the work would
be done outside the city of Bryan; in
other words, the city taxpayer was
saying to the farmer: For every dol
lar that you will put into the building
of your road we will put in another
dollar and the railroads will put In
the third dollar" This proposition was
received apparently with great salts
faction by the great body Of prosper
Gus Brazos county farmers. But there
has sprung up an unaccountable Sec
tional opposition to the bond issue.
No apparent reason is advanced, other
than that it is because the people of
Bryan want it. Now, 1t must be ap-
parent to all fair-minded men that the
business men and taxpayers of Bryan
are not in favor OF forcing good roads
on any community which does not
want them. A very large majority OF
the people in the greater part OF
Brazos county are in favor of good
roads and are going to have them. If
a majority in any considerable section,
as shown by vote, is opposed to the
bond issue, then it will be an easy
matter to exclude that section from
good roads district, both in the pay
ment of the tax or in its benefits. AS
for me- | shall have to see the vote
before / can bring myself to believe
that there really is any such a com
munity in Brazos county.