The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08
IlE M Si1tiTI0a.
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSION
E1ss ANSWERS CRITICISMS.
Asnlgns - IDespoasibslsty for short
cum1ngs q Pubic Isoad System TO
1Aek os uun<as and Rcscnts ''Nda-
un1R9t anls s~pcrasous NEWSPAPERS
Aee1nAcs,~


The Supervisor and Commissioners
q sN4ksr County have followed with
la&ssegl The dhcvssions Of road i'm
provsmsnt. which have recently ap-
psarsd IN your columns. So far as
lAepe eennunlc cations are part Of a
iQtvomsnt for the public good. they
A. theroughly welcome. and may be
II value. So far ss they are the ve-
A}clsa e sarcasm and petty spite they
enqnee - Of bsnsnt.
n = sasy e. criticise and tear
0ewn; anybody can do that. To con-
s(ruet; to build up; to lead to better
qsnf g conditions. we'll. that is dif-
foeepG
y Rpblic emcials. having a correct
op9se of duty. know that they are
public servants. and exert themselves
- promote the public interest. They
rkewBs know that heir actions are
proper subjects for criticism. But crit.
Icipm Of this character. to be helpful
pvst be based on knowledge and sea-
soasd with sound Judgment.
One thing stands out clear and dis.
tlnct. Ia all OF those articles, an !
that u. our roads and bridges need
70 bs improved.
None know that better than those
Who arc charged with the care and
maintenance Of these highways OF
travel II II not probable that any
obssrvant person will deny that our
roads are generally improved In the
hast few years, They are better than
they used to be. but they are not ideal
IN this age Of automobiles and motor
truckA
The roads have not kept pace with
the development Of vehicles. and un-
der present financial conditions satis-
factorX Improvement Is out Of the
question. II the Board was composed
OF the six most expert engineers in
the. world. they could not build per-
mahent roads without adequate funds:
no more than q great builder could
construct palace out Of material
barely suitable for barn.
I, That by way OF Introduction. Now
here are some facts to think about.
County Revenue.
The minimum needs OF the county
for 1915. were estimated at $65, ASS. 90,
The estimate for 1917 was about the
same. For several ygars the income
nas bem insufficient. evon with rigid
economy. Finances have gradually
fallen behind. The above estimated
income was apportioned as follows:
Roads and Bridges. $4,000. Fees and
saiarie's si9.21s: Aims House and
Poor. H.sso; Chain Gang. $3.50.
Public buildings. ss.s1o: Jail. ss.2o2;
Contingent Expenses. ss.25O; Court
Expenses. $4,000; Confederate Vet
arans. $1,000. These do not include
interes: on bonds or other things for
which special taxes are levied. Bear
IN mind that II Ia unlawful for tho
Board to spend more money than is
thus allowed. They arc not to create
debts IA excess OF income.
Takias the Roads and Bridges. and
Chain Gang funds together. and we
hAvo S21.450 for the construction and
maintenance OF ESQ miles Of roads and
about 700 bridges. That means about
$sa per mile.
Under normal conditions the amount
would no insufficient for more than
necessary upktep. and permanent i'm
provements to any appreciable extent
are impossible. But conditions are
not normal. High prices Of provisions.
labor. machinery. lumber. and all 9TH
or things has cut this small figure TO
about one-half OF its ordinary pur-
ehastns power. Prices advance con-