Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-17

clusively proven in the friendly con
test between the Scenic and the Rock
River Valley routes a year ago." de.
clared Devore n. Simonson, the next
speaker. In that event we were com.
PEELED TO constantly drag the roads.
They needed attention after every
rain. None of the hard work we did
was permanent. What we need is
hard roads. and until we get them our
time, labor and money is wasted in
attempting road betterment"
The speaker showed how good roads
reduced the hauling cost by making
the routes shorter through elimina-
ton OF curves and grades and by max
ing the thorouGhfares passable at all
seasons OF the year. He stated that
the average cost per ton per mile on
dirt road was % cents. according TO
government figures. while it was but
cents on hard surface roads. Since
the average haul is nine miles. there
is necessarily big saving for the far
mer in permanent highways
Business Like Plan.
The bond issue is not a new thing
for Port Byron" continued Mr.. Simon
SON We tried it for sidewalks and
bridges over our creeks. An issue of
$500 bonds was almost unanimously
favored here. because We found the
Uselessness OF trying to build a few
walks each year with a direct tax We
were not getting anywhere With the
bond issue, however, we were able to
tackle the problem in a business-Iike
manner. We are trying to apply the
same principle in improving the roads
OF the county.
The cost to the individual farmer
will be slight. The total assessed val
ne Of land in Port Byron township
Is 100000 The total cost to this
township for the bond issue would bs
S9S9.5S a year, figuring about Is cents
an acre. for a period of 20 years. In
return the sum of 100000 would be
spent in this township, and six miles
OF road improved. In Coe township
the cost would be 1886 a year for
seven and one-half miles of road. ap-
proNimateing $4,000; Yuma township
would pay S1,261 a year and get eight
miles of road and $4,000 in return;
Canoe Greek would pay $500 a year
and get the sum of $4,000 for -four
miles of road. When the financias
side of the bond issue is carefully
studied there should be no objection
10 il, because OF tax increase The
benefits to be gained so overbalanced
the cost. that as a purely business
proposition. the bond issue should be
generally advocated. especially by the
farmers"
Md Cbot4II e.
a number Of other good road boost
ers were heard. DR.. w. E. Taylor in
his own forceful and characteristic
fashion declared the bond issue should
be advocated because it was a step in
the evolution Of the progress of tne
nation.
Illinois is at the bottom of the lad
der in the good roads cause" he stat
ed. illinois has the finest corn, the
biggest industries, unlimited wealth.
and the deepest mud. You Port Byron
people ought 10 be for the bond issue,
because it will mean the improvement
Of the scenic route from this commun-
ity 10 the tri-cities. You don't appre-
ciate what you have here. and If il is
properly improved you will not be able
10 keep the tourists away"
Pictures Please. u
". A Neese and 5. W. Searle we're
called on for impromptu remarks. and
then +. W. Woodcock. secretary OF the
association. gave his stereopticon
views OF roads, showing local views.
as well as those from elsewhere in
this country and Europe. The resolu-
ton instructing the supervisor from
that township TO vote to submit the
road question at the November cleo
ton was made by James Simonson,
seconded by Myron Yo!ton and adopt
ed without a dissenting vote.
The entertainment features of the
meeting were well received. The
Svea male quartet and z. J. Stack
house. field secretary. who gave a num- |
Der OF readings, delighted the audi |
II. l.