The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-07-03
Not Intended as Back Talk.

AS the two above contributors are not
only constant readers, but subscribers to
the Banner of long standing, and while
withholding their names from the pub
lie, make themselves known to the pub
Usher, we cannot refuse to grant both
space. Aside from this, it is our aim at
all times to make the Banner a news
paper by and for the common people.
The communications appear as present.
ed, except that each particularly the
last) has been to some extent "dressed
up"
Certain it is that PRESIDENT and
"Farmer" view the proposition that
now most concerns our people from very
different angles. While we thank the
first for his agreeable remarks as to the
Banner and its contributors, and indorse
his views as whole, we do not propose
to take issue with the other, who is as
well meaning but woefully misguided.
In addition, his queries are as whole
directed toward our friend Mr.. Doran,
who will no doubt feel called upon to
make some responce in next weeks issue
OF the Banner.
We feel compelled to add, however,
that "Farmer" does not know what a
load is. His team only draws a partial
load, not near, the capacity of his wagon.
Nor does he recognize the great tax on a
team in pulling loaded wagon up a
grade-say one of 10 per cent, not un-
common in our parish. Statistics and
the many experiences of practical team
sters make plain the fact that steer
grades are nuisance, and where posi-
BILE they should be avoided.
AS to our roads being good enough al
present, they are not. 1t is freely grant
ed that they are much improved as &
whole over what they were say twenty
years since, but when protracted rainy
spell makes them next to impossible, il
should be clear to any reasoning mar
that they are not yet what We want anc
demand, and that we have merely made
beginning in the solution of this i'm
mense proposition. We thought ever,
resident reader of the Banner knew tina
all main roads of the parish have not a
yet been sufficiently widened, grades
and drained-and these are the primar,
steps toward the securing of bette
> roads, and must come before gravelinl
: or other surfacing can be considered.
+ We do not advocate the crawling o
| all our public roads at this time. Tha
\ would indeed cost too much for
t sparsely settled community to attempt
o as we have before suggested. Blu
"Farmer" and all residents of the sec
s tons of the parish not SO thickly pop
e ulated as is the new road district shout
o see their salvation in the constant use {
r the split-log drag. Its use is practica
e as he can learn from several residents {
d our parish who have tried it out.
!. In conclusion, we wish to again urg
a that we would like to see good roae
d throughout the entire parish-roads {
% the best type our people can afford ;
j. present-and some day the best hare
II surface roads fairly check ito lea
= through every ward, over every hill
re thread every valley, and one to pa
if right by Farmers" door. He'll star
Is for it, and after he becomes accustom
Il its use and truly learns its benefits,
would fight before he would let it
J. closed Or abandoned as public road.
,e The above is published in good fai
is and intended to convey nothing wha
N ever damaging. LOCAL EDITOR.