The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1916-11-11
JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CONTEST
6spection of Centsnsg Routes Pro-
psed by anager SEkson.

Mayor Walter Lemann is in receip
of communication from j. D. Clark
soR general manager of the Jeffer
soH Highway Association, regardin,
the Geteiminatids@ @the contest tha
has developed over the location of tn
official route Of the highway from
Port Allen to New Orleans. Bot
sides of the river are seeking to Sc
cuEarthe highway. East bank advo
cal propose that the route shoult
cross the river at Baton Rouge AM
then proceed to New Orleans via Hop,
Villa, Convent and Kenner. The
west bankers urge that the highwa,
continue straight on to New Orlean!
from Port Allen by way of Plaque
mine, White Castle, Donaldsonville
Edgard and other towns and villages
Mr.. Clarkson writes that each o1
the cont nding routes has showr
enough interest and resources to re
quire much more thorough exami
nation than was possible in the origi.
nal trip over the various roads. In
order that every locality may have an
opportunity to make a correct show
ing of it's availibilities, the entire ter
rltory will be put into regular con-
test proceedings under the rules and
regulations of the jefferson Highway
Association.
The contest may be determined in
one of two ways: First, by unani-
nous consent Of all the parties at in
terest, the general manager can score
the contending routes and decide the
issue. Second, failing this unanimous
consent, two men from other states
than Louisiana will be appointed by
the president of thhe association, and
if necessary they can call in the SER
vices of a skilled engineer.
II Manager Clarkson is selected as
arblter, he will grade the respective
routes under the following headings
and ratings, the decision going to the
route making the best score: Soil
conditions for roads, 10 points; avail
able road surfacing materials, TO-;
mileage now hard surfaced, 10; pres
ent condition of road, (a) surface,
(b) bad grades, (e) sharp turns, (d)
bridging, (e) railroad crossings, 10;
total mileage between termini, s.; tax
able wealth, 10; population, 5 scenic
values, 10; hotels, 5; garages, 5; mem
bership material and public interest
in construction and support of high
way, 10; flood problems, 10.
1T will require at least week to
score the contending routes"
says Mr.. Clarkson. "If all the parties
at interest care to have me act as
judge and render the decision, / will
to inspect the roads during
the two weeks from Dec. 3 to 16. This
must be by unanimous consent and
with the und derstanding that I am rep
resenting the i,ltel' ests of aorthWesta
* s. states tfsh Which The Highway
runs and which are vitally interested
in the final location of the Jefferson
Highway from Colfax to New Orle-
ans.
"If ] score the roads representa-
tive of each rival route will ride with
ne in the car to see all that I see and
hear all that is said to me. No pri-
1ate information or statements will
oe received, and anyone attempting
% make statements in such way will
only prejudice his own case and must
expect them to be repeated openly.
In the event am not unanimous
y agreed upon to score the roads and
'ender the decision which is to be ac-
.epted as final by all parties concern
I'd, then President E. T. Meredith of
0es Moines, Iowa, will appoint par
les from other states to come to Lou
siana and determine the contest. If |
his is done, of course the parties Sc
ected will set their own time for in
'pecting the roads and will make their
,Wn rules and regulations, and provi-
ion will have to be made for payment |
# their expenses and to recompense
hem for their services.
"No section of the road will be con-
'idered in the contest that has not de-
posted in escrow check for it's |
Mileage. These checks will be re-
urned, of course, to sections which |
10 not secure the location"
Commenting upon Mr.. Clarkson's
Mayor Lemann gave
t as his opinion that the west bank |
advocates will be entirely satisfied to
lave tie general manager pass upon |
he respective merits of the two
'outes, and some action will probably
'e taken at once to secure an express
ion on this point from the various
parishes and communities interested.
They are all expected to agree to the
of Mr.. Clarkson as arbi-
;er of the contest, and the east bank
will doubtless reach the same Vonclu-
ZION, to the end that the question at
ssue may be decided at the earliest
possible moment and the successful
quite be enabled to proceed actively
With the work of getting it's roads in
shape for the highway.
McCall's Hogs Sweep the Board.