The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1915-05-28
GOOD ROADS.
T. B. King, Memphis, Good Roads
Man, on the Job.

lAoll, Oi1 lilC JOO'
The most essential things in road
building are proper grading, ample
drainage and sufficient width. This
may be done better and more econom-
ically by competent civil engineers and
experienced road builders. Haphazard
methods will not answer in these times.
Even dirt roads should be as carefully
and correctly laid out with. respect to
grades and taking care of the rainfall
as turnpikes. Science and experience,
or practice, should join hands in per-
feet harmony while this is being done.
The old methods of working the roads
with the same tools in the hands of in
experienced men that were used in Gull
tivating the crop is waste OF public
funds. An excellent farmer or a good
magistrate may be complete failure
as road builders and maintainers. The
small turning pillow and the hoe have
their places in the preparation and cul
tivation Of the crops, but not on the
public highways. The machinery built
purposely for roads, when properly
handled, is the most economical in the
long run, even though the outlay of
money should be great at first.
Dirt roads can and should be made
to carry the modern travel in midwin
ter as well as in the summer months by
the employment Of capable engineers
and the skilful use of up-to-date ma
chinery.
Macadam and gravel roads are much
to be desired, but there is no good reason
for waiting until there is money enough
in the county road funds with which to
pay for such highly improved roads be-
fore an effort is made to construct dirt
roads according to modern plans and
methods.
Taxation is the best way to secure
the means with which to do the work.
Labor drag-netted from fixed commun-
ity lines in large numbers has outlived
itsdays OF usefulness, if it ever had any.
There is no taxation that yields more
direct, as we'll as as more immediate
benefit to the farming class than road
tax. The first benefit derived is the
cheapening of the cost of transporta-
ton of the farm products to the near
est market place; second, the improved
sale value of the farm lands; third, the
comfort to mankind and the reduced
suffering of the dumb brutes in travel
ing over highly improved roads. Be-
cause of this, the farmers should be the
first to approve and support liberal tax
policy for constructing and maintaining
public highways. l have in mind, how
ever, concrete case where an effort was
made in one of the largest counties 10
Tennessee to raise certain sum by tax
alton for road purposes, and when vote
was taken the farmers defeated the plan.
The tax books of that county showed
that the railroads would have paid one
third, the merchants and private COR
porations one-third and the farmers
one. third of the cost. 1t seems rather
strange that two-thirds were willing to
be taxed for an indirect benefit while
one-third were against contributing their
part for that which would bring to them
a direct and immediate blessing.
No farmer or land owner who is at
all progressive should fail to give rights
of-way for the construction of new roads
or for the widening of the old. Selfish
ness, if nothing else, should prompt the
giving of all of the territory needed for
proper improvement of the highways.
''THos. B. KING.
Memphis, Tenn, May 81, 1915"
Now is the time to screen your
house. We want to sell you the
doors, wire, etc.-Union City Lum-
Der Company.