Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-05

Editor Tig&s-Republican: The far.
mer Just II this. time seems to have
fallen heir to vast amount Of SYM
pathy from some people who are not
usually very much concerned over the
conditions Of farmers or farm ufs.
This sympathy seemingly has bssu
aroused on account Of the great di-
JENNA the farmer finds himself In
when he attempts to haul q load Of
produce to market over these awful
roads, which we have been having
the last few years or since the auto
mobile came in fashion.
notwithstanding all this sympathy.
real or affected. we do not think that
the farmer or any other wise tax
payer can be led to believe that paved
country roads would be, either . cheap,
or necessary luxury.
It II claimed by the advocates Of
these so-called permanent roads,
that the cost Of concrete or brick
pavement would be comparatively in.
significant. That road IL feet wide
could be constructed at an average
cost Of $4,000 per mile. The auto tax
would pay one third Of this amount,
one mill state or county levy would
pay another one-third, and that the
nearby property owners should be
required to pay the last one-third.
Now az to the width Of road, we
believe that twelve feet would be alto
gether too narrow and not at all worth
while but for the sake Of argument
we win grant just for the time being
that twelve feet might answer the pur-
pose, and proceed to consider the cost
First as to the auto tax. II VIC mis-
; take not it was stated in the T.-R.
short time ago that there was about
! one auto for every section OF land In
the state. That being true there are
about $1,000 autos in Iowa. We will
say the tax is $40 per auto, SO times
| s., 900 equals 3550.000, the auto tax for
! one year: 3550.000 times 20. the num-
Der OF years bonds are supposed to
! run, equals $11.o00.0O0. auto tax.
According to state auditor, the tax
able value of all property In the state
exclusive Of moneys and credits. (not
taxable In this CASEY amounts to
S524,7O6,953. A mill levy on this sum
would give us @524.706 in round num-
bers for one year: $524,706 times 20
equals $10.4s4. 12O, total mill tax for the
twenty years: s11,O00,000 auto plus
s10,494.120 mill tax equals 21.4s4.1s0.
the combined auto and mill tax for the
20-year period.
Going on the theory proposed by the
advocates OF this regime. that we build
county seat to county seat roads all
over the state, and OF course one part
of the state ia as much entitled to
these roads as another. 1t would be
necessary to build these roads both
north and south and east and west
thru every tier Of counties. and the
state being 200 miles wide and about
275 miles long. an average would
| make around $500 miles Of road to be
constructed. Ten thousand dollars cost
per mile multiplied by $500, the num-
Der of miles. gives us s45,0OO.00O, the
amount Of bonds to be issued. These
| bonds might be foated at five per cent
At the end OF the first ten years one
half the bonds would be paid leaving
S22.5O0,000 yet to pay. The interest on
this $22.500,000 for one year would
equal the average yearly interest FOX
the 2o-year period. Said interest fol
one year at hve per cent would be
s1,125. 900. which multiplied by &c