The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-05-05
Highway Commission Of Missouri
Puts PIans Before Business
Men q the City
Today.
ON THE RED BALL ROUTE
Highway to be Continuation Of Fine
Hard Road From st.
Paul to Hot
Springs.

A highway from this city to Way
land, Mo-, to be constructed OF ce-
ment, rock or brick, and that will be
q continuation Of the Red Ball route
that will eventually connect St. Paul
and Hot Springs, Is the proposition
this morning put before the good
roads committee Of the Industrial as
ISOLATION, and number Of promi-
nent business men by Frank w. Buff
fam OF Jefferson City, Mo-. highway
commissioner of that state. A num-
Der OF men In this city will this even
/ ing attend meeting to be held at
the South Bridge school house. two
miles south Of Wayland, where thu
matter viii be placed before residents
OF that section
Colonel Buffam this morning met q
number Of prominent business men at
the Keokuk club when he explained
to them the full details Of the project.
He stated that at present the road is
practically completed between st.
Louis to Taylor. distance of 100
miles. OF this distance all but fifteen
miles have been completed. All the
road Is constructed of hard material
that can be used at any time OF the
year. He is trying to interest the
business men OF this city in the con-
struction OF the road from this place
to wayland which would be on that
route The road should be built OF
gravel, cement, rock, or brick. A
number of different methods Of financ-
ing the proposition were suggested by
Colonel Buffam.
Would BRING in Trade
The business men of this city are
int crested in the proposed highway
rs 1t would bring to this city large
amount Of trade from the district
through which the road would extend.
With Kcokuk on the Red Ball route
4 large number Of automobile tour
lists would pass through this city and
would leave money with the local
m archants.
A concrete highway IS favored by
the local men, the only objection to
this being the cost. Colonel Buffam
stated that a concrete highway would
cost approximately $4,000 mile. A
rock road would cost from FIVE to
seven thousand dollars a mile. A
brick road would cost approximately
$4,000 a mile. A gravel road would'
be the least expensive.
A number Of different methods of
financing the construction of the road
wera suggested and explained by Col
xoAn hat he a.
at assessment, together with the state
aid that could be obtained. would
pay for considerably more than halt
of the initial cost The plan of rails
ing the money by subscription, OF
building a toll road and other meth
DDS were diacussed
Merchants Favor Road.
Those who we're present at the
meeting this morning were unanf-
mously of the opinion that the con-
struation of the road was very desir-
able to this city and would be mat
ter of a great deal Of benefit, both TO
the city and to the psople who 1--we
along the route. The only question
is that of securing the money for con-
structing the road without burdenlns
local merchants and citizens with tie
heavy cost. 1t is believ ID that plan
can be formulated by which this OBJ
lection can be overcome.
A number Of bushes men OF this
city will drive in automobiles to the
meeting south of Wayland this even
ing. Among those who will go VIII
probably be Commissioner Schmidt
and the members of the good roads
committee OF the Industrial associa-
ton. In all there will be several car
loads att end the meeting from this
city. It is believed that II the farm
er5 along the route are In favor OF
constructing the road and are Wiling
to cooperate with the business men
OF this city that 1t can be carried
through to completion without piac-
ing any special burden on anyone ana
To the great benefit OF all concerned.
.-ff q