The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-18
BOARD OF REVENUE
OPPOSED TO PAYING
FOR R|GHTS-OF-WAy
May Refuse to Build Roads
Except When Guaranteed
Against This Expense
BIVENS ANDLOVELADY
DISCUSS THE PROBLEM
Roads Set Back Full Year By Rains
and Floods-Damage to High
ways Estimated at
$4,000

over an item of $50 yesterday morning
the board of revenue developed a vigorous
debate on whether it would tamely sub
NIT to being "held-up' on "rights-of-
way" in the building of public roads,
whether it would institute condemnation
proceedings or refuse to build any road
where there was likelihood of having
trouble with property owners.
Lee Bonner, an attorney, appeared be-
fore the board of revenue yesterday
morning to seek permission to go ahead
on some work on the Leeds highway,
which would cost the county at the out
side $50 and quite possibly nothing at all.
After about 80 minutes oratory, permits
sion was given Attorney Bonner to pro-
coed with his plans.
During the discussion President r, F.
Lovelady of the board of revenue con-
demned severely the practice of allowing
1T to be generally known that public
road was to be constructed along certain
uals information by which they later
held up the county by refusing to sell
'rights-ofway' unless they secure some
exorbitant sum.
DR.. Lovelady also stated that when con-
domination proceedings were instituted
before the probate Judge. the board of
revenue should have witnesses to appear
against the witnesses of the property
owners.
I'VE have been careless about these
Details" said DR.. Lovelady, land in the
future we should be about and see that
when condemnation proceedings are in
stituted, we provide witnesses to appear
in the interest of the county,
Rufe Bivens Immediately stated that
he was opposed to the spending of any
money in purchasing rights of way"
when delegations come before us, -
said Mr.. Bivens, land desire the con-
struction of public road we should see
that the proposed plans are unencumbered
in the matter of rights We agree
blindly to build road and start on it
and somebody hobs up with a claim
against the county. 1t was formerly the
policy of the board not to pay for any
right-of-way,' but to allow communities
who wanted the road to pay for it after
condemnation proceedings. We should adj
here to that policy right now
DR.. Lovelady then stated that the roads
of Jefferson county were being repaired
just as quickly as possible, and that the
recent heavy rains had set the work back
at least year. He said it would take
100000 to get the roads of the county
in the condition they were in before the
rains and floods set in. This was not
counting the damage done to the bridges
of the county.
1.-THE rains were especially disastrous
to the roads of the county," said DR..
Lovelady, land in my estimation it set
the work back at least a year, and it
would take more than 100000 to get the
public roads of Jefferson county in the
shape they were in before the rains and
floods set in six weeks ago.
AT the present time we have about $40
convicts, but some 60 of them are negro
women and cripples, which leaves about
275 men to work the roads. With this
crew we have managed fairly well to
clear away the damage done by the
rains and all the roads of the county
are now open, although. of course, not by
any means repaired in the shape they
were in before the rains set in