Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-08-24
Good Roads Meeting.

A we'll attended meeting TO discuss the
road question was held IN Shhpherdstown
last Saturday afternoon, with c. d. Wy
song presiding, and considerable interest
was manifested in the subject. Mr.. Fair
banks, an expert from the government
bureau Of good roads in Washington, was
present and spoke at length concerning
road building and the care and repairing
OF roads. He was well informed. and in
a clear and comprehensive manner ex-
pressed practical as we'll as theoretical
views on this subject. He had his facts
and figures at his fingers end, and an
swered satisfactorily the numerous ques-
tions that were put to him by those who
were present. Mr.. Fairbanks had made
a partial inspection OF our district roads,
which he said he found in bad condition.
In response to direct inquiry, he gave
il as his opinion that 90 per cent OF the
damage TO the roads had beeh caused by
neglect of drains and bitches, this ne
elect resulting, naturally, in the water
tearing up the roads as it ran down the
hills and rottlng them as il lay in the mol
lows with no drains 10 carry il of. He
said that very large proportion OF the
trouble on all the roads is caused by
faulty drainage. Mr. Fairbanks explained
al length the new law under which the
government will aid the States in the
construction OF new roads roads and for
which Congress has made appropriations
OF many millions.
The committee that had been appoint
ed to prepare report on the subject OF
road improvement made the following re-
port through its chairman, H. L. Snyder :
The committee appointed TO consider
the subject OF better roads Tor Shepherds
town district makes the following report ::
First. We oppose an issue OF bonds in
any sum for the purpose OF road building
and recommend that this proposition be
rejected.
Second. We find that The present sys-
tenn of working the roads is not SatiSfaC
tory 10 the taxpayers and has not resulted
in proper maintenance OF the roads. We
therefore recommend that the former SyS
TEN OF dividing the district into three sub
districts be established, and that the road
supervisor appoint two assistants, these
TO be competent and experienced road
men, one for each Sub-diStriCt. We
further recommend that each Sub-diStrict
be allowed proportionate share OF the
road fund, so that none Of the roads may
be neglected. We also recommend that
public-Spirited men along the roads in
the several districts be invited and urged
to cooperate with the road supervisors
in the way OF furnishing stone, labor or
cash, and that advice and suggestions as
TO road improvement be sought OF them.
Third. We recommend that in order
10 protect the roads from further damage
the funds now in hand, or as much thereof
as may be necessary, be expended in
ditching and draining tine roads and pro-
tecting them from the injurious effects OF
water.
Fourth. We recommend that per-
n anent organization be formed in Shep-
herdStoWn district, the object OF which
shall be the betterment OF our roads.
Fifth. We recommend that our County
Court be petitioned to give the voters OF
ShepherdStoWn district the opportunity
TO vote for an additional levy OF fifteen
cents on the hundred dollars for the pur-
poses OF road improvement and better
ment, for the next fiscal year.
Sixth. We urge our representatives in
the next West Virginia Legislature TO use
their influence 10 secure the enactment OF
a law by which so per cent OF the money
collected from automobile licenses shall
be returned 10 the counties from which ii
is collected, to be there used for road i'm
provement.
The report was discussed at length, and
was finally adopted in full. AS showing
the sentiment against bond issue, the
item in opposition 10 this plan was adopt
ed with but one dissenting vote. The
suggestion that permanent good roads
organization be formed met with much
favor, and due notice will be given OF
meeting 10 be held for this purpose.