Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1916-04-06
COMMISSIONER Webb
GOOD ROADS BOOSTER
DECLARES IMPROVED ROADS.
MEAN SHORT CUT TO HEALTH
WEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Dear Editor: l would be very
much pleased to have the use of your
columns for the above subject. Some
time ago Mr.. Fields, Mr.. Borden and
myself explained through your col
ums our views in regards to better
road system; thinking by so doing.
we would draw more into the game.
Although disappointed in results We
are not discouraged. Enter into an
argument with any taxpayer in VII,
liams Co. and see how quick he VIII
mention the bad road conditions, that
is if you are arguing on what we are
all striving for, Wealth, Health and
Happiness. The civilized man makes
roads; the savage does not. That =
the surest test of civilization. Among
US, in all communities are individuals
who do not take any interest in roads
And still we want to boast about our
advanced civilization, and point with.
pride to the fact that in most alllines-
of human endeavor our progress has.
been little short Of marvellous.
Invention has crowded on inven-
ton, and an improvement has hardly
been announced until the improve
ment has been improved. We have
been "going some" in many direc-,
tions, but in one particular direc5oD
we have been marking time. For in
stance, what have we done in the last.
one hundred years toward improving
our system Of building public high
ways?
The farmer readily adopts improv-
ed machinery and methods because he
can see by so doing his labor will be-,
lightened and his products and profits
increased; it is to his personal inter-
est, and he is willing to spend money
to make more money. Once in .
while you will hear a man say am
not going to help build road for
! other people to wear out. That's the
very thing you are doing now Mr.. tax
payer under our present system. BIT
under the Bond system you, Mr.
Farmer can travel the well built high
way and the next fellow that conres
along helps pay for it. What will Il
cost to build permanent roads in our
county? One road across our coUuAY
from East to West distance of about.
IS to 60 miles then one out of every
town or village North and South to
the county's boundary lines, or in an
about 400 to 45O miles. Will it cost
100000? Maybe more, or maybe lesa
Stop! listen a moment more before
you throw the paper aside. Under
our old system of road levy at the
present time the commissioners can
levy $4,000 per year, that is at the
present assessed valuation of the ru-
raj districts which is $7,OO0,OOO bond
for 20 years and the $35,OOO.OO that
can be levied at the present time on
an assessed valuation of $1,000, 10000
or mills on the dollar, can be GRABBED
off of an assessed valuation of $8,-
OOO, 100000 in round Nos or little
less than 4 2-5 mills, a saving of
8 3-5 mills on every dollar assessable
in the Rural districts.
How will we do it? That's easy"
Create sinking fund. Now Mr.: Riza1
1 will take sides with you in regards,
to the road question you had in last
weeks issue of the Williston Herald.
We all know that is bad road from:
Tande Hill to Williston after 7aEn
The road should be over north next
to the bluff and it would be a wise
move for your board to establish one,
there before the new bridge goes in
across Sand Creek.
About the automobiles damaging
the grade so much more than wagons
and buggies l will have to differ with
you. A buggy for instance will pick
up that soil till the tires are foot
oroad, carry it along till finally the
weight of the dirt gets so great that
t drops off, the result is bump and
hat means rut hole. Did any one
ever see an auto tire pick up clay
ike wagon or buggy wheel. In re-
CARDS to the $500 auto tax fund yoar
township gets, it is donation as it
s nothing else than double taxation
But say Mr.. Rizer, these town fellows
automobiles are assessed in the towns
10 we cannot grab off any road tax
,nder our old system of road levies1-
3ut give us the bond system and we'll
ret them; that will make triple taxa
ion on the automobiles in the towns.
After all what has been said and done
n regards to better roads we are still
n the land of mud. Then there is the
oy which we must not forget, you
want him for a partner when he
rows up. But some day the city
CONTINUED On pags y