The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-04-08
GOOD ROADS AND PROSPERITY.

sembly of North Carolina, which Is
certain TO be far-reaching IN its effect.
is that by which without special iegis-
lation any township in the state may
take steps to issue not exceeding $50
900 in bonds for the building. OF good
roads. 1t is a Measure which thus
gives opportunity for the greatest de-
Velopment in making roads in North
Carolina, and there should result from
his an era Of good road building il
the state. |
The possibilities of the act are very
great, for, by concert of action, every
township in a county, or adjoining
townships in numbers of counties. can
arrange for elections On a bond issue
for road building without waiting for
another session of the General Assem-
bly, to provide the special law for the
county or section which desires to
put money into road building.
is an age Of advancement. and
by means of road building. The day
has passed when argument is needed
to show the value Of good roads. For
a while-and unfortunately it still
exists In some SectiOns-it was not
seen that money spent on improving
roads, SO as to make these good roads,
gave a direct return, but this is a fac
which can be demonstrated.
Go into any section where good
roads lave taken the place of horrible
excuses for roads, and the farmers
will tell you Of increased values of
their farms, OF their ability to get to
market with more OF their products
and at a less cost, and will point out
vehicles which last longer because of
the better condition Of the roads. In
every way it can be shown thai good
roads bring q direct return. And the
vast possibilities which they hold for
the future are matters for still fur
Their consideration.
That there mus be money provided
to obtain good roads is true, as it liz
true for obtaining anything else; but
that section which hangs back from
placing taxes IN itself to pay for the
roads which it needs is making a fatal
mistake. 1t is a fact not to be gain
said that, while communities with
good roads beccm more and more
prosperous, the communities lacking
in these go backward and backward.
The real benefactors Of any section
are those men who continue in season
and out of season to urge that there
be provisions made for good roads.
Bonds are necessary in securing these,
and it is the correct principle that. in
permanent road work, the future gen
erations should have left to them the
duty of paying for a part Of the costs.
And future generations will be better
able TO pay than the present, for as
good roads are built there will come
( an increase in wealth. which will more
readily be able to meet obligations
T as they come due.
Outside Of the act which provided
for townships voting up to $50, 600 In
: bonds for good roads. there were many
special acts passed by the General As
E senlbly for road pond issues in coun-
! ties. Davidson County will vote on the
: 22d Of April on a proposed issue Of
t 100000 III bonds for good roads. ON
~ -oIA ~ NIaS 1ouOtN lis
to vote on an issue of $500, 900. Or
S the 26th Of April there will be an
s election in Rutherford County on the
e issue Of S25O,00O in bonds. And there
S are other counties in which elections
have been provided on the road bond
Issue. In eac Of the counties in
which there are to be elections, the
e issue for good roads should carry. 70,
G it means that there will be a better
e day and an impetus for progress.
North Carolina is a State OF vast DOS.
sibilities, and its rapid growth is q
matter which. in a large measure, de-
ponds upon its roads, and the men
! who are fighting for good roads are
: doing a service Of real value to ths
- State.