The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-08-22

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My idea of handling Mason Countys
turnpike system. would be to open an
account with each turnpike in Mason
County. as above, giving credit for the
amount of money coming to said pike,
as per the funds derived from the
taxable property in the vicinities
throughout which said pixies pass, and
1t would be easy for the Road Engi-
neer to keep track of the work on ev-
cry turnpike in Mason County, and il
would be his duty to use the money
so credited, that the best results might
be obtained.
1t is true, that there will be many
pixies that the above amounts of
money would not make much of a
showing, but II the water was first got
ten OFF of the roads, so that the con-
tinued depreciation which has been
going on so long and to such a great
extent, would be stopped, it would
only be a matter Of few years until
the expenditure of the amounts of
money, each year, would produce fair
ly good roads.
As. TO what results can be attained
with $4,000 per mile, beg to cite my
readers to the following instance:
The Mason & Lewis turnpike, when
it was a toll road, consisted of about
20 miles, and for period of % years,
according to the statement of Mr.. A. r.
Glascock, who was Treasurer of this
road. for that entire period, the up
keep of this 20 miles OF road averaged
$4,000 over the entire period of 22
years spoken of above. This, however,
did not include $1,500.00 for the re-
placement Of bridges, which we're lost
In flood. When the Mason and Lewis
turnpike was turned over to the
County, as a part of the free turnpike
system, l think no one will doubt but
that it was in first-class condition.
The main line turnpikes, AS you
will notice, have between 100000 and
100000 each, coming to them, and
our Fiscal Court could make applica-
ton to the State and could secure the
amount of money that is apportioned
to us each year, and We would thereby
be enabled to resurface from two to
three miles Of each of our main line
roadways, each year, and In years
time, every main line pike in Mason
county, will have been resurfaced and
the funds applicable to the cross
pixies would not have to be touched.
1t is only necessary to apply bust
ness principles to this plan In order
that good roads would result.
| do not believe that the present
management would secure good re-
suits with any amount of money OBJ
tainable.
The counties l visited In Central
Kentucky, last week. will build beau
-tiful roads at the price OF 81, 10000 to
100000 per mile, and In only one in
stance did see a road that cost the
latter amount This road was prac-
tically rebuilt from end to end, a
great deal Of excavation having been
made to widen parts of the road.
The plan am suggesting, OF course,
Is only my own ideas, as taken from
the observations l have made, and II
could hardly expect that my plan
would be adopted in whole. but l am
confident 1t would devise a system by
which the management would start.
knowing Just the amounts Of money
that could be expended, and every tax
payer In Mason county would be get
ting the benefit OF. at least. the amount
OF road fund he is paying in taxes. and
II this Is done, do not believe there
would be any complaint In any quar-
ter OF Mason county. The question is,
where shall we start2
Our present management have
shown In the last years, that they
have made a failure, absolutely. OF the
running OF the turnpike AFFAIRS, there
fore. In order that no more OF Mason
County's money be fIittered away,
there Is but one thing 10 do. The en-.