The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-01
GOOD ROADS WANTED,
Ths Pcopie VINO use the Public Roads Roads
Beginning to Realize the Cost of
had Roads.

! Editor Daily, Item.
1t SENS that the trend for buildinp
good roads In Sumter county, is takinp
on new life. and as you have tasted
the pleasures Of good roads on your
recent drive In the boil weevil coun-
try have also become an ardent ad.
lvocate in that line. 1 hope that you
will keep on hammering at 1t until
the whole county will realize its bene.
fits.
I am In favor OF a substantial bond
Issue. a special tax or anything that
will furnish money to build up cool
roads all over the county. There is
not another public improvement that
will be 30 remunerative to the people
at large and bring in a larger return
to its citizens than good roads, and
no matter how large the outlay is
made. provided 1t Is used judiciously
and with proper care can be consid-
cred waste or luxury.
Good roads will protect the faith
ful horse. It will lengthen the SER
viceableness Of vehicles. 1t will save
time for the farmer and the mer-
chant. 1t WIN improve marketing con-
ditions. 1t will enlarge the facilities
for accommodations 1t will place
as all in closer relations to each
other. 1t will enhance the values of
our farms and homes and win i'm
prove our prosperity In innumerable
ways.
have travelled on good roads and
bad roads. and have taken notes in
tho difference Of fuels. time and
wear and. tear on machinery energy
and waste. and I have come to the
conclusion that good roads would bc
worth 500 q year to me personally.
There are about 1000 automobiles In
this county who arc losing that much
every year. There are about 1000
or more other vehicles In this county
to whom II would be a saving OF
from $40 to s2s per year. This saw
ing ID only from actual operations.
not considering time. convenience,
pleasure and other features that go
with II.
There are about ESQ miles or main
roads In Sumter county. and I am
told that good substantial sand clay
roads can be built III this county at
an average Of $3.50 to $500 per mile,
but taking present prices of materials
and labor we may figure 1t at $500
per mile or an amount approximate
ly $350,000. This amount on
bond issue at per cent. on 40 year
plan would tax Sumter county about
$4,000 per year for interest and re-
demption fund. On direct levy
plan for say a ten year program OF
$4,000. we could build these roads
without paying interest.
Now this amount will be greatly
reduced by adding to 1t the federal
fund which is available. and the d.
rect license tax Of about $4,000 per
year which motor vehicles arc now
paying In Sumter county. BY not
disturbing the present available funds
for road purposes. which are to be
used for the general upkeep OF the
roads. we. would have the best kept
roads In the State. II not in the coun-
try. and in keeping with city i'm
provements and Sumter's reputation.
The city of Sumter has spent over
100000 In Its pavements. and / am
glad to say. you can not find single
person in Sumter that would have the
old streets back by paying him three
times tho amount Of extra taxes he
Is paying. 4
The only one that would object to
improvements on account of the
higher rate of taxes Is the ignoramus
the chronic kicker. the pessimist and
the Stacker who always looks for
somebody else to do his duties and
furnish him with charity pies. A
reasonable and honest person is al
ways willing to pay for what he gets
his personal needs. as well as his
share of public responsibilities. where
he lives. enjoys and prospers.
understand. and we all under
stand. that there Is no opposition to
good roads. the only thing remaining
to be done Is to got busy, and do
something. Let US have good roads
or shut up. You Mr.. Editor. are talk
ing to the people daily through your
columns, knowing their wishes and
aspirations. can not you devise some