Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1915-03-04

z ton or libeIOuS matter. III you IS
differ with MS or our c~Ontribut. -
Ors, say SO, and why. q
& Letters must bear the name e
e and address of the writer. Sc
e Anonymous Communications IS
e will not be considered. 81
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Road Supervisor P. F. Patton Answers
Critics and Tells How Road Funds
We're Spent; Concrete Roads
ImDraeticable,
Hendersonville. N. c., Feb. &c, 1915.
Editor, Democrat:
/ have read several articles in your
paper criticising the method being
used by the trustees in spending the
100000 bond isue for Henderson
vile township. Being one of the trus-
tees who is handling this money and
being q citizen who has always been
very much interested in better roads
for Henderson county / feel that /
have a right to reply to Mr.. Hudgins'
article, especially SO since Mr.. Hud
gins seems to be very much misin-
formed as to what is being done and
also as to facts al to what has been
done since this money was placed in
our hands by the citizens of Henderson
county who expected us to spend it In
the best manner possible looking to the
best interest Of the people Of Hender-
sonV1lle township, and in this letter l
will try and give the public some idea
OF what a been done by the trustees
with their money.
First, Mr.. Hudgins accuses us of
labortng under a delusion that SER
v1ceable sand-clay roads can be builf
In this section. He says that this
cannot be done in this section of the
State but may be in some sections
where conditions are more favorable
/ would be glad to have Mr.. Hudeins
point out why sand-clay roads. nno
be built In this section as well as in
any section of North Carolina.
1t is my opinion that we have the
most favorable section in which to
build sand-clay roads. This is due to
the fact that no other section that 7
have ever visited has the same quality
OF sand, or coarse gravel, that we have
here In Henderson county In such
abundance. This being the most i'm
portant ingredient In the construction
ton Of a sand-clay roads and having
the best quality that can be found in
North Carolina, L will be pleased to
have MI. Hudgins point out why our
section is not favorable to a sand-clay
road?
The EdneyVilIe Road.
/ fear that Mr.. Hudglns has not been
a Rlnn0 RhaaRnna -
which has been carried on IN Hsader-
SON county IN the past. lido not wish
to misqnote Mr.. HudginsFs so wfal use
his own language, he says: what
about the Edneyville road which was
sanded years ago and thoroughly sand
ed about two years ago?" ! would
think such a close observer and one of
so much knowledge of road coristruc-
ton would have at least known that
the Edneyville road was not sanded
years ago and was not re-sanded two
years ago; the truth Of the matter be-
ing that the Edneyville road was not
even graded until about 8 years ago
and at this time had a very light coat
of sand which was put on the road by
Mr.. Justice with a donation made up
by the people. Even. though this coat
OF sand was light and not considered
by anyone as being a thorough sand
clay road this road stood up and was
in splendid condition until this win
ter during the very rainy weather we
have had for the past three months,
The Flat Rock Road.
Mr.. Hudgins also asks: What about
the Flat Rock road. which was sand
ed every year for three years.? He Is
also in error in regard to this road.
A part of this road vas also sanded by
Mr.. Justice with a light coat Of sand
which was put on with money raised
by contribution. The Edneyville
road an dthe Flat Rock road have
been in such good condition since this
light coat of sand was put on by Mr..
Justice that they have been left until
the last roads to be sanded and they
have not needed any attention until
the present hard winter. The Edney-
Vile road has now been re-sandeu
and the road speaks for itself. I am
sure that the public knows that MI.
Hudgins has mis-stated the facts lin
regard to these roads. 1t might be
well for Mr. Hudgins to inform him.
self and get the true facts before
criticising the methods used by others.
L quote Mr.. Hudgins further: TT
there has e been a sand-clay road
constructed in Western North Carroll
ma under such methods as are being
advocated and employed in Henderson
county that is any sort of a C C /
would like to know where it is" In
answer it this question 1 would re-
spectfully refer Mr.. Hudgins to an
article in the Western Carolina Demo
crat of Feb. 18th-this being the same
issue in which Mr.. Hudgins' letter ap-
peared, this article being written by
Mr.. w. L. Spoon. who is the chief road
engineer for the State of North Caro-
lima. II Mr.. Hudgins will take time
to read this article he will see that
the methods advocated here are the
exact methods being used in Hender-