The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1913-02-19
Roads.


good roads, III the last few years
especially in the last two or three anC
it is becoming a question of great
deal more concern to us than it was {
few years ago, To my opinion it i:
The Vital Question which confront:
the citizenship of our county. NJ
doubt, without an exception, all want
to see system of good roads all ovel
our county. The question is, how Sc
cure these ends in the most logical anG
sensible way.
There has, for great many years,
been some sort of a road system.
But up to the present, have we not
desperately failed. Can any of the
old methods be relied upon to secure
for us good roads throughout the coun.
ty? The old method of working each
male, in certain radious, upon a Ger.
tain portion of a road six days out OF
the three hundred and sixty-five was
a decided failure. Has not the tax.
ing system proven equally futile? Is
it not a fact that complaints are
heard from in almostevery magisterial
district in the county as to the expen-
diture Of the road fund The good
people of one section say that they are
being Disseminated against, while the
same accusations are being made by
the people of other communities.
What shall be done. Good roads can
never be built by talk. Surely there is
not a taxpayer in the domain of Adair
county who would knowingly treat
with Indifference, proposition which
would not only contribute to the hap
piness of himself and neighbors, but
increase his real estate values at least
one third.
The press has labored untiringly for
good roads. 1t has kept at it so adj
that the public is really be
ginning to think. Really studying
of the present dilemma. 1t
has been suggested that each magis-
terial district be allowed the ''road
tax" collected in it's district. II that
plan could secure good roads every
body in the whole county would en-
support it. But it can
not do it. The money would practi-
,ally be lost. Is it not a fact that at
his season of the year it is almost i'm
possible to get over many of our roads
At the same time spending several
thousand dollars annually upon them.
# this is the case now, and we con
,lnue in the same manner, will our
oads be any better twenty years
renee? L dare say no. If we keep
)ace with the times have we not got
% do something. If any county on
he face of the earth needs a good
Dad system it is Adair, because we
AVE not the advantages of railroads
nd navigable water ways.
Good roads would be a benefit to
everybody. Upon this all concur.
den living in the most remote parts
# the county would be benefited the
anne as those living in the central
portions. Really it would bring a
market for the products of the farm
.lmOSt to the farmers doors. For ex-
nipple: A man living ten miles from
own has business in town. With a
,ood road he could pitch load of
wood Oh his wagon and drive in al
most as quickly with it as he could
ide in on horse back now. This is
nly one of the many examples which
Ould be given.
This is a fast age-an age of pro-
resS, and if we keep peace with our
iSter counties we will have to get
ut of the old ruts-get busy and i'm
rove the fearful conditions of our
Dads. How can this be done? 1t has
'een suggested that the county vote
o issue bonds to the amount sufficient
0 build good roads throughout the
ounty. When this suggestion was
made no doubt almost all were awe
tricken. But after little investi |
alton, thought and sound reasoning
seems very plausible solution of
he bad roads problem. What else
an be done with a view of a success
all elimination of the deplorable /
OnditiOnS which exist at this season
1 the year. At present a great many
eem to become alarmed at the !
bought of bond issue. Now let us
wisely and senSibly upon |
his vital question, and when we have !
one so, many who are now so utterly |
ppoSed to bond issue, will be it's
lost ardent supporters. Respt.
Z. A. Smith. AID. S.