The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-10-24


or convict labor: whetLe, by con-
tract or county construc.ion-all are
questions that have not yet been def
nltely settled.
In south Florida there is a growing
sentiment In favor OF vitrifed brick.
!, Is claimed that IL Is the only per-
manently lasting material. and mum.
Der Of south Florida counties have
been bonded and are authorized to use
this material solely.
fernando county will soon vote on
bonding for two hundred thousand
dollars. and We understand that the
commissioners will be authorized to
use vitrified brick
Mr.. Thomas Edison. whose wonder
fully fertile mind seems to instantly
grasp and master almost every prob
lem. predicts that cement is the com
ing material for the construction of
.oOd roads. and in the enterprising
west cement roads are already being
used.
They ere almost as smooth as
glass, harden with age. and are cas-
ily provided with the necessary wings
70 take care of the rainfall and wa
'eriow They are said to be cheaper
than vitrifled brick roads
Under county construction and SUI
pervislon North Carolina has been
building roads for a number of years
past Of crushed rock. generally known
a. the McAdam system.
In the construction of these roads
Meoklenburg county. for instance,
has spent in recent years one million
dollars. One of the commissioners
of that county is on record as being
opposed 10 the continuance of the Nc
Adam system for the reason that they
no longer render good service in the
light Of modern traffic conditions, and
for the more imperative reason that
the cost OF their construction and up
keep are prohibitive.
The three hundred miles of rock
road built in Mecklenburg county are
estimated to have cost $1,000, 900:
cutie lot is already said to be in bad
shape, and the balance is rapidly get |
ting so.
II Is said that the motor car rapid |
~ relegates rock roads to the trash |
heap, so in the building of roads for ,
the future the automobile. first of all, |
Is 10 be considered.
The original cost of rock or Mead
am roads Is approximately $4,000 per
mile. and their up-keep is very costly |
Another experiment is being tried |
states with a mixture of clay and |
sand. II is said that where the prop
er clay can be obtained and the mix
ture Is done under the supervision of |
experts this material makes a most |
admirable road. and its cost and up
keep are vastly less than rock roads. |
The experience of the past several
years demonstrates the fact that our
lime roads are not substantial enough |
20 meet the requirements of present |
traffic conditions and, like the rock |
roads. the motor car soon consigns |
them to the trash heap. In dry wealth |
er they break. become pulverized, and
like ashes are whitfield about by pass
ing automobiles, and are blown away |
by the winds. The rains, too, wash |
breaks In them, and what are not |
washed away are made. while not en-
tirel yimpassable. at least quite I'M
comfortable.
The demonstration here last Thurs
day emphasized the fact that good
road building must be done under the
supervision of experts. and with some
kind OF an approved material.
If II demonstrated one thing more
than another it was that a good road
cannot be built with roses. blue rib
hons and hot air In arousing public |
sentiment in favor of the good roads
movement II was a brilliant achieve
ment. but for practical, economical
road building it was on a line with
those surgical operations that are
pronounced entirely successful, while
the patient dies.
We cannot believe and never be-
liaved that the demonstration was
ever seriously intended to set an ex-
ample of being the most feasible, the
most expeditions. the most scientific,
the most practical OF the most eco
nomical method of good road build
ing to be permanently followed by
those who are charged with this
grave and responsible public duty.
In placing our county in the lime
light. I'm creating a public sentiment
for the building of better roads, in