Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-21

SUPERVISORS TO issue bonds for per-
manent bridges as fast as needed, and
for the permanent grading Of the
county roads within five years, but
they are not ready for gravel or any
other kind Of surfacing at this time
that is the township trustees and
farmers who sat in Saturdays conven-
ton are not, for they denied the road
boosters a whole loaf and handed out
only part OF a loaf. by vote Of "a to
80 upon an amendment to strike from
the original resolutions all mention OF
graveling or surfacing. Then it was
voted by almost unanimous consent
to urge the supervisors to bond for
permanent bridges as fast as they are
needed and to bond for putting the
county road system to permanent
grade within five years. The COM
mittee also. asked for bonds for the
graveling and otherwise improving the
county road system within five year.
but this was opposed so strongly by
the rural precincts that it was voted
down.
Happily for all concerned the con-
ference disbanded with good feeling
whereas much strife was promised in
the streets In the morning. The basis
Of the call had caused fear on the
part OF the farmers that they were
to be unfairly treated. altho the dele
gates had been appointed according to
the vote for president, and because in
the interest Of harmony by the Mar
shalltown delegates not to force any
thing thru the meeting II a fair COM
promise could be obtained peaceably
Upon the roll call about thirty from
the city refrained from voting, and
that part of the committees request
which seemed displeasing to the out
side delegates was voted down by a
margin Of 2. The Gilman and State
Center precincts were strong Tor the
committees full request. Likewise
scattering delegates thruout the rura
precincts, but most Of the farmer dele
gates. and a few in the Marshalltown
wards, voted to eliminate the part over
which there was controversy.
.- Purpose Explained.
Mr.. Norris explained the purpose Of
the meeting, as he had addressed the
farmers institute, which had created
the committee which had called the
conference. He said that there was
immediate need this summer Of $75,-
600 worth of permanent bridges to re-
place worn-out wooden ones. and thai
not to exceed $4,000 was available in
the bridge revenues for permanent
construction. because nearly $4,000 OF
the bridge money was needed for other
purposes. He explained that the board
Of supervisors could issue bonds fol
bridge money, and thereby distribute
the cost Of a permanent bridge equit-
ably over the future years by payinR
a little on the bonds each year out OF
the bridge taxes Of tho future. He
said that II this were done there would
be more than enough money available
in the bridge fund without increasing
the levy to meet bond payments upon
the cost of replacing all temporary
bridges in the county as fast az they
wear out He also said that much OF
the auto money and county road
money was now being used for culverts
and filing at bridge approaches which
work could be done out Of bridge
moneys IL bonds were issued for the
permanent bridges
The Bonding Plan.
He presented figures on charts ia
show that the county road system OF
1856 miles could be permanently graded
within five years at cost Of 31s5, 900
100 miles graveled at $4,000 per mile
and twenty-five miles paved at, $4,000
per mile, and the bonds paid of in the
fifteenth year from the first year OF
construction, provided bonus Of $500
per mile were raised for the surfacing
He presented his figures merely ras an
estimate. explaining that no mar
could tell exactly what grading al
crawling would cost until every mile
OF the road had been surveyed. profilea
made, and the contractors bids OPENED
But he showed that II the cost should
exceed his estimate by as much az ths
amount OF the bonus, namely $4,000
per mile for gravel and $500 for paw
Ing, the bonds would pay out In the
eighteenth year from the first ysar OF
construction, and that the bonds Is
sued at the end of the fifth year could
still run seven years longer under the
twenty-year term allowed by law
From this It was apparent that II cost
of graveling should rise even to &3,00e
per mile, the bonds could still be paid
s. !: m: ti,s. sars from ths
'first year Of consttdction ma ti16,
- :, s,<gea = 49,. ~ ~ - ken