Evening journal., 1913-12-06
SATURDAY. DEC. s. 1918.
LEvY COURT AND ROAD WORK.

THAT certain improved public highways in this c6uh-
ty have not been maintained they should have
been patent to all who them. In some instances
it may have been due to indifference; in others to
lack OF funds Whatever the cause the fact undenia-
bly, exists and is recognized by the public. which
agrees fully with like James Wilson, State Com
missioner OF Highways for New Castle county and
County Engineer who hold firmly the theory that
proper maintenance Of the highways already improved
is Of paramount Importance and that, while new inn
proved roads are highly desirable is folly to build
them and at the time permit those already built
to 20 to wreck because Of lack Of proper fpkeep.
Thanks to the insistence Of Representative Brad
ford the Legislature took full cognzance Of the
importance Of maintenance and so far as the funds
available would permit the establishment of through
routes. The Levy Court sent to Dover good roads
bond bill which was amended materially after it had
reached the State House Representative Bradfords
inslstence had much do with bringing about those
amendments He was however by no means alone In
his recognition Of the for mandatory legislation
which would protect the public against good roads
patchwork in the matter OF construction and official
indifference in the matter Of proper maintenance
Other members rallied to his support The result
was that when finally the bond bill passed
tborizing the Levy Court borrow 100000 for good
roads work it contained these two very significant
paragraphs:
And provided further that OF the money thus OBJ
taned not less than the of 100000 thereof shall
be spent IN the various hundreds Of the said county
upon such roads and parts of roads as together with
the Improved roads already built IN said county, Will
make continuous permanent highway In said
county from the PENNSYLVANIA State line 10 the dvid
ing line between said New Castle and Kent counties
And provided further that before any Of the remain
ing 100000 Of the money thus obtained shall be
spent in the building Of any additional roads parts
" Is hereby authorized DIRECTED AND REQUIRED
70 set aside sufficient fund EACH YEAR, for the
purpose OF repairing and maintaining in good condi-
A al
ways IN said county: which fund shall not be less
than $500 mile, for each for each and every
mile OF the public roads already improved afore
said, and the said Levy Court Is her by DIRECTED
AND REQUIRED TO REPAIR. KEEP AND MAIN
TAIN AT ALL TINES IN GOOD AND FIRST-CLAS
CONDITION. each and all Of said improved public
roads and highways in said county and to construct
and maintain in effective condition thorough sys-
OF ditching and drainage IN connection with aore
said public roads and highways.
II seems to that law indicates clearly not only
what the Levy Court ought TO do but also what it
must do In making Of that 100000. To it's credit
it that 1t is engaged busiy and enectIvely
in establishing the good roads through route from
here Smyrna by way OF Newport. stanton Christi
Glasgow Summit Bridge Mount Pleasant Mid
detown, Townsend and Biackbird. In traversing the
county many times we have found the road builders
hard at work closing the gaps between Glasgow and
Summit Bridge. Mount Pleasant and the southern ap-
proach to Aiddletown, Townsend and Blackbird and
point two three miles north of the Kent county
line. Much OF that road already open
In addition splendid road Is being bull. down
Odessa Other construction work also is in pro-
gress. We also that maintenance work is
being done Of the roads already improved,
the first indication Of 4 trip by the west side
being the leading from Front and Union
10 Eisemere until recently IN bad condition Further
maintenance work is being done what is known
the east side route from Wilmington southwark.
The public therefore, should not be misled into
thinking that the Levy Court is doing nothing in the
way of good roads construction and maintenance The
reverse is true. It Is doing much and yet there is
much more particularly in the upper end of our
county, that ought in the way of maintenance.
Certainly the Wilmington and Philadelphia turnpike,
the Co-cord turnpike the Faulk road. the Rockland
road and other public highways are need Of aten-
ton from the maintenance gangs. The sooner they
put at work the better will be travelling
public and the cheaper will be for he taxpayers