The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1914-04-03
HARD FIGHT FOR BOND ISSUE
State Roads Department Figures What
Good Roads Will Mean to Pulaski

Indications are that by the time the
State fund created by the Scent road
tax becomes available large number
OF counties will have placed them
selves in position to take advantage OF
State aid by issuing road bond says a
news story from Frankfort Pulaski
may be the first with S3OOOOO bond
issue to be voted on April "a and
Warren will vote on similar propo-
sition May q, Simpson, Harlan Whit
ley. Bel and Letcher may follow suit.
The law provides that where a cuun-
~ has voted bonds the State shall re-
imburse il to the extent OF halt the
amount actually spent on roads under
the provisions of the act; so that in
stead of making annual appropriations
and doing the work pIecemeal these
counties may lay out their bond issues
IN constructing system of highways
and enjoy their benefit while paying
for them. In Pulaski county COM
mission is designated to administer
the bond issue the roads must be con-
structed under State supervision and
according to plans furnished by the
Commissioner OF Roads, so that they
are assured OF the money being pro-
perly spent.
II the Federal appropriation is made
the State department rs authorized by
the law to make whatever terms it
| pleases with the Federal Government,
, and it is probable that the Federal
Government and the State will put an
equal amount to aid counties. thus
making the State road fund go twice
as far i'll distribution among the coun-
| ties.
In many places it is proposed for
| private subscriptions to augment the
fund raised this way when actually in
bank to the credit OF the county road
fund will be treated the same as il
raised by taxation i'll the distribution
of the State fund.
The automobile fund available this
year for aiding in county road build
ing amounts to approximately 100000.
Pulaski county is carrying on sys-
tematic campaign to get votes for the
bond issue. The Campaign Committee
with precinct committeeman is in
charge and every precinct will be
carefully polled. Beginning April Is
speaking campaign is planned. Senator
| Joseph F. Bosworth a representative
of the National Department OF High
ways and one from the State Depart
ment will deliver addresses.
Commissioner of Roads X. C. Ter
rell. who held a conference with good
roads promoters in Somerset Satur-
day. has set down in figures what good
roads will mean in dollars and cents
to Pulaski county. Taking the value of
horses and mules, farm vehicles and
harness in the county as shown by the
| Government census report for 1910. at
| 81 ,20O.0S9. he estimates hat the pres
ent bad roads cause an annual depre~
citation in stock, vehicles and equip
ment of 3 per cent. or S56.lS2.67. The
cost the ton mile to haul over the roads
now is approximately 80 cents. while
over improved roads i, would he II
cents a saving of 10 cents. Using as
basis 100000 tons hauled over five
miles. Is per cent OF which. or 5000
tons. would be hauled over the main.
or improved highways, after the bond
issue has been expended he demon
strates that the 10 cents saved on the
ton mile by improving the roads rep
resents a loss of 10000 annually as
the roads are now, and this. added to
the S36lS26 depreciation in stock
and equipment. constitutes direct
annual loss by reason OF bad roads OF
500, 1920.
This he explains does not include the
loss represented by the enhancement
in yalue Of farm and city property It
the roads were improved, nor the adj
vantages of social life and educational
advancement attendant throughout the
! country side