The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-08-19
Statement From tho Supervisor.
AdyertiSement.)

(Advertlsement)
Editor Advertiser:
VIII you permit few remarks rela-
tive to the road work and finances OF
Laurens county?
The tax levy for road and bridge
work is 3 mills, yielding in 1913 in
round numbers, 2l,000 For same
year add a commutation tax of some |
$4,000, or a grand total Of some $27 900 !
from which deduct $2,250O0 interest
on 1909 bridge bonds, leaving for road
and bridges net. some $4,000. Of which
some $4,000 annually will be required
for upkcep Of bridges, leaving avail
able for road work Of all kinds, in
Guiding culverts, some $4,000, or $12
to SIS per mile for building and main
tanning roads, which would not main
tain improved roads, if We had them
already built. Still from this allow
ancc must be paid all road and cul
vert work, whether by chaingang or
road ovcrsecr, the widening, grading.
the relocation Of roads and opening
OF new roads. In other words, the
present road funds Of the county are
little more than sufficient to maintain
the roads Of the county in their pres
cnt status as to width, grade, etc. IT
will be readily seen that not much pro-
gross can be made along the line OF
permanent improvement with the pres
cnt funds.
The cost Of widening roads is
variable, but will run anywhere from
$4,000 to 100000 per mile and over
owing to conditions, or from three to
fifteen times the amount Of average
appropriation, while the cost Of grad
ing and relocation viii run still
~, l>nE ~, ,>f a, .
class of work done per annum is nee
cssarily rather limited, and VIC should
have a special fund provided for perm
ancnt work.
Tho work has bccn seriously him
dcrcd during the past five years by
reason Of two food losses that of
1908. leaving only one river bridge in
tact, and the main spans OF two 9TH
arS with approaches torn away That
| flood cost MS upward Of 100000, for
| which bonds were issued in the sum
| Of $4,000. the balance being made
| from tic regular road funds and by
using the chain gang on considerable
| bridge work.
BY the food of March, 1912, we suf-
| fcrcd loss OF $1S.0OO.00, for which
no extra appropriation has been made,
! though il was asked for. and that loss
/ was replaced out OF the ordinary road
| funds for the years 1912 and 1913,
| thereby seriously crippling the road
! work, preventing the accomplishment
! Of The desired amount Of permanent
! work and rendering impossible for
| The time being Il much needed increase
! OF machinery and equipment. Better
| bridges have been built than those de-
! ,troycd, diminishing the liability OF
| similar losses in the future.
This season such addition has been
made 10 our road equipment as will
enable the ordinary road work to be
| finished three months earlier than
formerly leaving five or six months
Of the year TO he devoted to grading,
| etc.
Tho progress Of the work in this
county now compares favOrably With
/ that Of other counties whore much
moro money and help arc provided,
and Nc progress being made is en-
/ cOura sing. Moreover, the financial
condition Of the county is better than
! ten years ago, and not WithStanding
contrary opinions. these results speak
for themselves. as being attainablc on
~ through good management
The administrative force consists OF
| the Supervisor and two Commissions
crs. The latter have a salary Of only
! 500 per annum, which does not iusti-
fy them in dcvotinS much time to the
outside affairs, with the result that
many duties prescribed by law for the
Board OF commissioners are assumed
by the Supervisor. which in addition
TO his regular duties makes more
work than one man can properly look
after. In addition, the writer has in
order to cut down expenses, been do
ing the countys engineering work
without any additional compensation
whatsoever, although by law We are
authorized to employ an engineer and
no effort has been spared in promOt-
ing the county's interest.
Trusting that this may be OF intcr-
est to our citizens, ! am
Respectfully,
II. b. IIumbcrt,
Supervisor.