Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-07-15
PROFIT N ROCK ROADS
SIS An ADJACENT ACRE

-
sedalia, Mo-, July Three years
ago. when Pettis County vas consider
ing a vote Of 100000 to be expended
in the building of sixty miles Of rock
road, a banker Of this city was asked
what would be the actual dollar and
cent effect upon the farms in the n
mile road district Of which this is the
center. He was well posted on fern
values and was a member Of the Sc
aslia Road District Commission.
add s25 to Every Acre.
1T will increase the value Of every
acre Of ground within this district an
average Of s25" he declared. EVERY
community has had the same results.
II Is rot a matter Of guess upon my
part. That prophecy comes out Of my
knowledge OF what has happened in
other places that have turned their
earth road into improved highways"
The bonds were voted. The sixty
miles bull, added to the eighty already
constructed made a total Of lao miles
in the county radiating from Sedalia
as twelve map roads with many
branch laterals. Each road was built
sixteen feet wide, with permanent
concrete culyerts and concrete and
steel bridges, at an average cost Of
$500 a mile. in some places Inc CA
pense ran as low as s1,Is5 a mile; in
others as high as $500.
The Benefits Proved.
A few days ago M. v. Carroll, secre-
tary of the Sedalia Boosters Club,
answered the question as to the truth
of the bankers prophecy in the fol-
lowing words:
actual facts have amply borne out
his prediction, as the existence of the
rock roads has enhanced the value Of
those lands far more than he pre-
dicted.
"As to the benefits, they are almost
i~nnumerable; of course, the chief be-
ing to the farmer, because it cuts his
distance from town and market more
4
than one-half; it enables him to util-
ize all of his time to market products
when weather conditions are such that
he can not do field work, and to the
of the most favorable mar
ket prices when he disposesa Of his sur
plus. These rock roads lessen the
and tear on his vehicles, teams
and harness; he can haul double and
treble the amount he could over mud.
iy earth roads. Largely as a result
If the improvement, the number Of
motor ars owned by farmers has in
'reased by leaps and bounds and now
here are almost as many farm-owned I,
motor cars as there are in the cities
md towns Of the county"
A Benefit Not Foresccn. ,
But good roads, as pettis County
found them,are far more than mere
transportation highways. Improve
nent Of roads mirrors itself uncon.
ciously In the life Of the entire com ,
nunity through which they pass. AS !
o this, Mr.. Carroll explained: ]
THE silent influence exerted by the {
ock roads is seen in the improved, !.
eater and mor tidy farm homes and ,
djoining premises; larger and better i
chool houses and better school teach
rs; more contented young persons on
ne farms and in all respects an i'm J
roved and bettercd condition. !
Talking a New Bond Issue. Z
The 100000 bond issue was author !
sed in 1912 and completed the sixty 3
iiles of which it was intended. Now. a
Though 7. 0. Stanley, the county en- )
ineer, and the road district commits {
ion, are adding regularly to the sys- S
I'm through the expenditure of the 6
enerai revenue, another bond issue is Q
eng agitated and probably will be !,
oted It the crops turn out as salts |
actorily as now seems inevitable.