The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-07-27
POLICE JURY NET
IN SPECIAL SESSION
Jennings. La. July 20, 1917.

The Ponce jury met tIliS gay III dd-
iouned session and after considering
a So called protest signed by commit.
tee of three alleged representatives of
mass meeting Of citizens of Jen-
nings, and,
WHEREAS, This Police Jury having
made a thorough investigation of the
matters put before it by said commit
tee, and having found said charges
largely erroneous and misleading,
either because of lack of information
on the part of those preparing SAID
report, or through a desire not to
inform themselves with the facts, and
for the reason that the road is yet
under course Of construction, and is
vet to be completed and accepted, and !
WHEREAS, Said Police Jury IN
company with the engineer, having |
invited said committee or any other
citizen who desired to be present, to
accompany them on tour of inspec-
ton of the Jennings-Lake Arthur
road, same being the only portion OF
the work referred to and complained
of in said committees report, said
Police Jury proceeded over sand high
wav and after making various tests
at points selected by members OF SAID
committee present, found the general
average of the highway construction
work to be in good condition, subject
however,to final dressing ard COM
plet on, The same not having yet been
taccepted. This inspection now refer
red to has reference only to that por-
ton of the highway within Ward Two
| (2) running south Of Jennings at
which point the said member Of the
sad committee declined to proceed
anv further with the Police jury,
stating that they were only interested
lin Ward Two (2). In the opinion OF
this body the reason for their sudden
departure will readily be understood
because of the fact that the tests
made of the remainder of SAID high
way leading south to Lake Arthur IN
MANY instances showed that the WORK
was above the general average, and
as a whole entirely up to the stand
ard. cons dering the fact that the lat-
ter portion of the road is Likewise not
vet completed and accepted; and, ,
WHEREAS, 1t being the DIES re OF
this body 10 administer the affairs OF
the parish in all ma,Lers, and partic-
ularIv with reference to the important
5 work it is doing in connection Win
{ its highway system, and to handle
same economically and consistent with
the funds available in benefitting The
greatest number of citizens of JET
p ferson Davis parish, this body has eX-
i ercised due care and consideration In
n all matters pertaining to the con-
:, struction of said highways; and,
u WHEREAS, Said committee has
seen fit to criticize this body, largely
e by inference and inuendo, and having
0 aiken upon themselves the obligation
IS of securing affidavits, we are OF the
opinion that neither the criticisms
nor the affidavits in question are jus
titled by The true facts in the case
at this time, considering the fact tina
the road is not yet completed or ac
copied; and,
WHEREAS, The Police Jury in tn
exercise Of Us legislative. discretion
with reference to the governments
n affairs of The parish entered into
u contract for the purchase Of grave
which was upon bid considerably tn
owest received, and saw fit to pun
n. chase the gravel it has been using o
it's highway, and which contract tn
body considers most advantageous I
the parish for the reason that thou:
and of miles of highways are no
nc be ny constructed in the State
Louisiana, and an unlimited deman
MT for gravel prevails, and this bod
at considers that the gravel now BEN
used upon its highways is as good
;" grade Of pit-run gravel as can be pr
all cured; and,
WHEREAS, The engineer employt
ne by this body has worked conscie1
It tiously and efficiently with it, al
-. has at all times conferred with it, al
'n suhm tied his recommendations II
approval, having at all times n
10 only expressed himself, but demo
'no strated to the Police Jury of Jeffe
7er son Davis parish that he is deeply
SIC terested in the success of the unde
" takings of this body in procuring, 1
lar the uarish of jefferson Davis the be
as system OF highways possible, and
benefit the greatest number OF CT
ub' Gems of jefferson Davis parish col
be. mensurat;ve with the limited fun
on hand for such purposes; and 1t
oh our belief that no violation OF his &C
is tract has been shown by said comm
+, . tee. nor has this body found that
=; mas violated his contract; in fact,
!" consider that that Colonel Stevens
sSel been of great assistance to this bG
d. and that the people of jefferson
W. Wis parish have reaped incalcula
benefits through his efforts and
lilo ficiency in all of its undertakings;
iOi' WHEREAS, It is charged that SO
iet- portions of the highway in WI
Two (2) south of jennings are
ID thoroughly up to plans and spec'fl
and tions. there being no complaint on
tho part of the said committee as to
' other portion of the extensive hlghV
'out system now under construction,
ing complaint from other sections OF
9 of Parish, IN this connection we beg
The saw that we desire to reiterate /
j., - this particular highway is yet un
" cons .raction and all the work IN
shtS parish has not been completed
and that in every contract twenty I
per cent. of the amount is held b
the un,l final completion and accepta
, ,s Of the work, consequently it IS
40 intention OF this body % see, '
AVE the assistance Of is engineer,
% & avarv foot of highway constructed