West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-01-08
GAINESVILLE. w. Va,
January q, 1914.

We have been reading. at various
times, reports Of settlements by our
officials in this county and state and
while we have experienced an increase
in the tax receipt we are glad to know
that we are free from debt. We are
more han grateful to our officials for
their faithful service and are happy in
the freedom we enjoy. More especially !
is this true when we consider the indebt-
edness that is hanging over some Of our
ne.ghboring states. We are, however,
unable 10 understand why our national
debt should be 30 large in a time OF
peace considering the great wealth OF
this country.
We are more than glad that our boys
are not over in Mexico fighting. This
saves us the precious lives Of our soldiers
and defeats an increase IN the national
debt. III the so called Virginia debt
must be paid but we believe TO be u%njust)
we hope that arrangements will be made
TO pay IL off la the fewest possible years.
II il is in harmony with the policy of
our worthy Editor we would suggest that
We have a little friendly talk together
through our county papers concerning
our county roads. We are all equal az
taxpayers in proportion to our taxable
property. Good roads it must be remem-
bered is a credit to any community and
materially adds TO the value OF our homes.
furthermore it proves our intelligence in
the co Lstructing OF better roads. We
believe that there should be a broader
circulation of our road money az il would
bring about better road conditions. We
believe that our honorable county court
is liberal with the road funds and that
the co1rt is using great care in the
management OF the affairs of the county
the fact Chat the court is keeping us out
OF debt proves this beyond dispute. They
are building some concrete bridges which
will mora than pay expenses and we
believe that it would be a wise policy to
build N or moie such bridges in each
district every year.. With a broader dis
tribution of the road fund and more
supervisors, at least one to each COM
munity or neighborhood ar shorter sec
tons, would bring about better results.
No II feels more interested in the roads
than those living along their own home
roads. They know more about the con-
dition of their roads such as, bridges,
culverts, wet weather springs and con-
venience of stone for road purposes also
those neighbors who are capable of help
ing on the road building.
Personally we believe that all roads
should be worked before the first of July
and some money should be saved for
frequent use OF the road machine or road
scraper after hard rains or wet spells.
The old way of working the roads should
be a thing OF the past. This thing OF
starting out with a horse. a one horse
pillow and a few picks and snovels with
as many men TO battle with bad roads is
OF no avail and you would likewise con-
clude il you could see the fruit of this
labor after a good heavy rainfall. The
roads will continue to be upside down
and the side bitches in the center of the
road and that is all that there is to it for
another year. III the road has not been
graded it will require some dynamite to
get rid of the rocks and stumps, then a
good barshire pillow to loosen the dirt for
the side bitches and to make it easier for
the road machine or scraper and then
the road should be rounded up so that
the drainage will be good and the water
| run of freely.
EnFnlnRIu hfnllnkf. " OOI - -
the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
Washington, ID. c., treats of Earth
Roads and every one interested should
send n get one. 1t shows how to make
road drags, ditch cleaners and also how
to Use them. 1t is claimed that with the
use OF a road drag, roads can be kept in
good condition with but very little cost
per mile, by frequent use after rain.
1t serves to fill wagon ruts and causes the
roads to become hard and solid by using
the drag while the road is still wet.
Frequently good road material is washed
away due to the fact that there is not
the proper drainage.
L am, now, making a road drag out OF
locust planks three inches thick, eight
inches wide and eight feet long. | am
going TO ask our commissioner for a short
section OF road that / may experiment
with this drag. Wei weather has much
to do with roads unless you go to work
right after a rainfall. Saw mills and
narrow tired wagons are extremely hard
on roads. Saw mills, however, we must
have but not necessarily 80 with the
narrow tired wagon. I have a three
inch tire on my wagon and find that it
is much better on both the roads and
farm, because It does not sink into the
mud or newly plowed ground to such
a depth as does the more narrow tires.
And this think more than makes MP
Tor the extra weight and expense. /
further believe that all three inch tired
wagons should be free from taxation.
Hope our brother farmers, as well az
others, will come in with their good
road propositions. Many wise thoughts
put into action would surely bring about
better conditions.