The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-19
UNCLE SAM MAY MAINTAIN
ROADS IN THREE COUNTIES

rho Cnired States government may
maintain the brick roads of Pinellas
county free for a period of five years
after their completion if the voters
of the county decide in favor of the
road bond issue to be voted upon No
vember H..
This advice was received in a mes
sage by l.. A. Whitney, who has
been in communication with w. E.
James, chief of the maintenance de-
partment in the Office of the public
roads at Washington. The report
also was to the effect that Mr.. James
had succeeded in inducing the pub
lie roads bureau to appoint an en-
gineer tc take charge of the roads in
fernando. Pasco and Pinellas
counties, between Brooksville and st.
Petersburg after the roads are i'm
proved.
Official to Visit City
Mr.. James will probably be in this
city to address a meeting of persons
interested in good roads about the
last of this month and on the occas-
ion of his visit here he will go into
all the details REGARDING the reasons
for the government being willing to
maintain improved roads for that
length of time.
1t is Mr.. James intention to be in
Orlando OH Oct 27, where he will at
tend meeting of the new state road
commission at which time a state
road engineer will be selected. 1t
was intimated to Mr.. Whitney that
if an invitation was extended to Mr..
James he would be willing to come to
roads and explain how it would be
to the benefit of the voters of Pinel-
las county 10 carry the coming road
bond election, as the maintenance
offer Of the government is condition
AIRY gu the b,:ck roads being built.
Victory for Local Boosters
The decision of the United States
government to maintain the roads of
Pinellas. Pasco and fernando coun-
ties between st. Petersburg and
Brooxs.il!e is a great victory for To-
cal good roads boosters, as these
roads wonid he the only ones in the
state that will be locked after by the
government with the exception of
the MctiregoI boulevard, at FIT. My
ers, which was built as an expert
ment under government supervision
and tie eneineering supervisor is
only extended under restrictions.
At Fl. Myers a conveyance is provid-
ed for The officials for inspection pur-
Ooses, and no doubt the commission
ers of this county would do likewise
if called Ipon to do so.
Could Collect Valuable Data
The reason why the government
would be willing to maintain the
road was in the three counties men
toned would he for the purpose of
collecting :aluable data on construc-
ton and maintenance of the several
classes Of improved roads in the
three cOInties. Pinellas county was
selected for the brick construction
and should II. voters decide that
they d,d not wish these roads at the
election next month, some other
county would take this county
, place in The maintenance program
Official Always on Hand
1t is the wish of the government
to use the roads of the three coun-
, ties selected is basis of gathering
data on construction and mainten-
ance, as the official who would
superintend the taking care of the
road could max, his home at cen
trail poiI.t ana look after the work
better than il he was compelled to
, go 10 various parts of the state to
] gather his Information. St Peters
burg Times.