The Sentinel=record., 1914-02-26
ROAD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS IN PROCESS OF FORMATION
 AFTER LIMINARIES.
SHADY GROVE INQUISITIVE
Evidently Expected the Worst of It in Conflict with Other Road Dis trcts and Did Not Understand Pro- eess-MaIVern Road Work at Ohce.

Judge Leslie, after a careful study of the plan by which raod districts may be formed in this county ex pained tie plan so plainly last night that the remainder of the detail of the formation of road districts is merely matter up 10 the deisres of the property owners within the proposed districts
 Some of the points developed in the talk Judge Leslie made to the Business Mems League hast night were as follows;
 Get a petition of 51 per cent of the assessed property value on the road
 Make an outline in the petition oi the start and finish of the road anC the general route.
 State all the area of the district.
 All property BENEFITED is sub jeot to assessment tl proportion to the benefits, but this may be a mat ter of contest within the courts.
 The property can not be assessed more than 90 per cent of it's value.
 It makes no difference whether property lies within one district ol two, it can only be taxed in keep ing with the benefits, and if the bene tits are doubled, it can be so taxed, but never in excessof 30 per cent.
 The county wih have to maintain the road after 1t is built.
 Loops should be arranged for in the formation of the districts, so that parties from the city may go out one road and return on another The road districts may contemplate as slstance from the county and the county assistance comes from the city property owners. Therefore, the desire of the city relative to loop dis tricts should be acquiesCed in.
 The county collector collects all the assessments, and turns it over to the county treasurer who pays out the money on the order of the board of directors,
 ne board of directors is named by the county court
 So, with all this information i1 hand, those desiring to form road dis ulcts should not have any misunder- standing as to how to proceed Shady Grove was represented within the meeting last night, but Shady Grove didn't understand the story and oc- cupied most of the evenings discus sion. That road it seems has been neglected and the people are doubr tul They seemed to fear that with their road on one side ot the goll hnks and Malvern district on the other side the Shady Grove side would not get any assessment rom that property.
 Judge Leslie, however, as one ot the Malvern avenue committee, stat cd that it was unlikely that tIey would ever be able to prove any ploberty benefited tuhy 50 per cent by district, but that he would entef into an agreement if the Shady Grove committee wanted q district not to assess the golf property more thah l5 per cent, leaving the other haH for the other district.
 Harry Westcott took the stand that anticipating that the proposed bond issue amendment would be vetoed and become law in another year and be approved by the legislature the road district plan should be deferred and that instead the people should demand d working of the roads by the split log plan, with view to their maintenance until such tlme as tle state could lend assistance. lie thought the roads could be maintain ed with split log drags on $lO,O00 per year, leaving $20000 for such other permanent improvements as might ot found necessary, and to the oulidl ls Of culyerts, bridges, etc.
 He announced that in oruer to make test of the case he would start man and team today dragginl a split log from his place north ol the city to t1e divide hill near FarA avenue, and guaranteed that h' would be abe 10 bring good results
 simon Cooper told the audience that within twelve months and with out waiting for any new laws or ac ton of the legislature his commltte' would have a turnpike to Essel Park,
 Mr. W. w. Waters stated that thu present district law was suin&el for anybody who wanted to ooll' good roads and that ne was Tor max Ing more headway and hayins les talk He believed that the rre5eA district plan would help those "h really wanted good roads and Ina those who did not want them nee' hoi nave them.
 Capt C. N. Rix reported that n had been urged the repair work O the Central avenue paving dis'ric and that today he would serve CIT eial notice on the bondsmen tla