The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-02-27
BETTER ROADS ADVOCATED.

BETTER ROADS ADVOCATED.
Their Cost aad Benefits Discussed and
Bond Issue Suggested.
CHANGING hurriedly through the Ban
ner's 1912 files we find fifty-two columns
of matter advocating the cause Of good
roads. Some articles were perhaps over
looked, but this much gives as an aver
age of one column each week. That the
Banner stands for good roads-better
roads and more roads from year to
year-does not come as a news an
nouncement to it's readers. Year in and
year out they find in it column after
column on the subject.
The question of roads - improved,
hard-surface roads-is of first impor-
lance to US to-day from an industrial
viewpoint. We already have railroads
and other industries will follow. Many
stand convinced of these facts and are
patent in their demands for better roads,
others who have some idea Of their value
aver their expense, and still others are
not yet convinced Of the wisdom of the
necessary expenditure to secure them.
The obstacles in the way in the fur
therance of the plan to construct i'm
proved highways are:
A sparsly settled parish,
A great area of uncultivated lands
and consequent lack of assessable
wealth,
A great mileage in public roads, and
| Many streams and poorly drained Sec
tions of low-lying lands to be crossed.
That we need improved highways that
we may trayel in comfort, haul full loads
to our markets, have the value Of our
property enhanced, and to invite desir-
able settlers is recognized. They are
wanted by every resident who is far
sighted enough to look into the future.
and who has realized their worth to
other communities. How best to secure
them is the problem.
The writer wishes to advocate the plan
of voting a special tax and issuing
bonds-say thirty or forty year bonds
AS not only this but the coming genera
ton will reap the benefit of the pro-
posed roads, it is only fair that each
share in the cost of their construction
On the other hand, if we pay as we 60
,ue pay all and build slouly. But if W.
have in hand large sum to begin will
we can build say within five or six year.
what under the pay-as-you-go pla.
would require from twenty to twenty
five years to complete.
Above have been recited the obstacle
to be overcome. However, we are favor
ed in way that makes them all but pal
! beyond consideration under the plan t
issue bonds. Here is how it works out
If we have on hand a sufficient sur
with which to build our main highway
within few years, upon their compile
ton our property has become gleatl
enhanced in value and with this wi
follow lowering of the rate of taxation
As other settlers are invited by the i'm
provement and progressive spirit Of GU
people, our assessable wealth will in
crease again and again and the rate {
taxation be further lowered. And, it
hardly necessary that these facts /
; again pointed out - that good roae
"move" you nearer your market, enabl
greater loads and result in saving {
time, money, vehicles, horse flesh an
(: feed stuffs.
/: Granting that a special tax is vote
!; and bond issue follows, how shall "
!; proceed to construct our roads-wh;
type of road and under what plan?
! The suggestion of Mr.. J. I. Mann
:: (given publicity in last weeks issue
the Banner) to purchase rock crush
!! and use our own materials is good, b.
: unless number Of teams and a big gar
1t of men, working under the direction
one who is a road builder by trade, We
}, employed the work would not be exp
It dent nor would the better type of har,
= surface roads result.
Why not follow the lead OF Cad'
: Parish and surface our roads with grav
v carrying good clay binder? Mr.. G.
q Gilmer in his article in last weeks ISIS
q of the Banner says: eff a road "
built to follow the Cotton Belt Railw
70 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Ii
ii that road would probably arrange to u
re- load stone or gravel along its track in
,s way to reduce the expense Of hauling
&c the minimum If he means that t
Cotton Belt Company would dump t