Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1917-12-08
FOR GOOD ROADS
Custer County May Bond to Build Up It's
Main Highways, Says Buffalo
Gap Gazette

NNt N~NNNN'
Those interested in better roads for
Custer county are considering the propo-
sition of bonding to build up its main
highways. 1t is thought that one hun
dred thousand dollars will be ample for
the purpose. Under a new state law
counties are permitted to bond for the
construction of new roads in a sum not
exceeding five per cent of their assessed
valuation. The bonds can be made to
run twenty years and can be paid off in
yearly payments by the county, special
fund being created for that purpose
The question of voting such bonds may
be submitted by the county commission
ers upon petition of the electors of the
county. If the proposition is success
fully launched in this county it will be
up to its people at the next general cleo
tion, which will save the expense Of a
special election, and to be approved
must have seventy-fye per cent of the
total vote cast in its favor.
AT present Clusters road fund each
year is little more than sufficient to keep
roads in just ordinary repair. One hun
dred thousand dollars raised from the
sale of bonds will build a main highway
from Buffalo Gap to the Pennington
county line also roads running from
Buffalo Gap, Fairburn Hermosa to Gus
ter. The work required to build these
permanent roads, would be first survey
ed by competent road engineers and let
out on contracts to responsible parties
on bids and they would probably be re-
quired to give bonds for construction
according to the specifications.
With a little money to spend on new
roads the county can secure federal and
state road aid. For instance if the coun-
ty commissioners set aside five thousand
for the purpose of grading hill or max
ing certain piece of new road the state
will furnish like amount for the same
work. However, it must be new work,
not the repairing of old roads.
1t will not be long before practically
every tax payer in Custer county will be
a car owner. The increase of car own.
ers in the eastern part OF the county for
this year, at conservative estimate, is
fifty per cent aud the outside travel, on
business and pleasure bent, has made a
like increase, and for the future auto
travel will rapidly grow from year to
year. Good roads and automobiles 90
hand in hand, and Custer county people
must have the former to keep up with
the times.
Few people stop to realize the cost of
bad roads. Every car owner--every
driver of any kind of vehicle pays a
direct tax for poor roads in the form of
additional expense for repairs and extra
motive power, loss of time in their ira
vel as well as discomfort and in addi-
ton they are poor advertisement and
detriment to the country that has
them.
Good roads are an investment and
Custer county can not afford to be with
out them. The bond proposition is
good one for it will mean permanent
highways paid for gradually by the tax.
payers who will enjoy their advantages.
Good roads ado to land values and are
to the benefit of all. Poor roads for the
ext twenty years will cost the people
of Custer county more than good ones.
Will you be in favor of the road bond
proposition. Buffalo Gap Gazette.