The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-02-04
HERE is A WAY OUT.

Of good roads. It is not as a mere
sentiment that this is being shown,
but the fact tina in county after
county the people are willingly taf-
ing themselves Is evidence Of the
deep-rooted conviction that North
Carolina to be prosperous must have
good roads. And there never was a
clearer proposition, one that is self
evident when there is studied the re-
suits achieved in sections where good
roads abound.
North Carolina is a State Of great
size, of many roads Of various spects
for its territory extends from the sea
into the mountains. And ec2us OF
the varying conditions are problems
Of many kinds to be met. And so
there is always the recurring Ques-
ton. How best shall We proceed in
the work." as the people seek to
find a way out which will insure the
matter as M Of Statewide enter
prise always swings back to the solu-
ton Of having the convict force Of
North Carolina build the roads Of the
State.
If this working Of the public high
ways by convict forces is adopted by
the State OF North Carolina how
best shall these forces be utlize1?
That the finances Of the State ;aare
! not been improved by the hiring Of
oon,r;o{o RI h,i11 -oi1pno1S with 11S
| pay in railroad bonds is a thing Ger
| tain. In the treasury Of North Car
DINA there are bonds Of this hiad
which nave nc real value as an asset
or the State. And it IS more and
more recognized That the convict
forces shall be otherwise employed.
| Shall It be on the State farms? That
| this is not the wish of the people
he who studies conditions in North
Carolina will readily agree. and he
will find that the present-day call is
for the convict forces to be put to
work In building public highways.
Discussion Of this matter shows q
way out as to a plan Of work OF this
kind. It is that the States prison
authorities enter regularly and sys-
tematically into the contract work OF
road building, that a competent en-
cheering force be- secured and that
with the proper road machinery, and
with trained men in charge the con-
victs be used in carrying out con
facts with counties, townships, cities
and towns for road construction.
That Is a business proposition, and it
puts the matter Of road building upon
q tangible commercial basis. such
road construction work being possible
to be don at an inside cost because
Of the use OF ~convicta.
With an expert road engineer en-
gagged the States prison authorities
could arrange with counties for roae
work, to make the needed survey
and fix upon the cost. This being
determined the convict forces could be
put to work upon a definite contract
this to be paid for by county, o.
township or city bonds. or il preferred
then the localities could dispose OF
lAAcSe OOuUS anu Pay lA I6SA AK IA<
road work done. And the bonds o,
the counties would BIO assets of valu,
to the State. II on making early sur
veys the counties preferred to en-
gage engineers for themselves thi
could be done also, for then u correc
estimate as to work to be done coul,
be made. And with q continuance Q
this the convict road force would be
come expert, and the work done b
contract for various localities coul,
r be done at a less price than by an
other contract force, even from tn
very beginning.
I That sue a plan is feasible appear
on its face. 1t is a way out in ma k
ing good roads in North Carolina. an
in employing the convict on such
h basis as to keep the States prise
l. J cD,