The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-06-22

I Marbury, who had just come into the
meeting and knew absolutely nothing
OF what had previously been said or
done. On being called on to say
something, however, he promptly re-
! sponded, and his natural aptitude for
saying the right thing at the right
time, as well as his great enthusiasm
for road Improvement, was his only
guide. But while his speech was
most forceful, it was just what was
needed to crystalize the thoughts of
all those present-along the lines,
that NEST present had been thinking,
but were unable to express them
selves. He said that all previous
courts had "shunted" the responsible
ity of inaugurating plan for perma-
nent good roads work, and that it was
now up to the present court, if they
were to do their full duty in the mat
ter to the people who elected them, to
take action in this most important
matter at once. He urged that this
road builder should be bought-he
would buy two if he were doing it.
The idea that a county as rich as st.
Francois county is-with at least
S200,000,000 of actual wealth-was
not able to thoroughly equip herself
for the best possible road work, was
merest buncombe.
His speech was just what was need
ed in order to start the movement
with the proper zest and enthusiasm,
and the County Judges decided to
close the deal for the Iron Mountain
chat dump, which has an estimated
amount of 5000 yards of that splen-
did road surfacing material. They al
so purchased of the Garford Motor
Truck Co., of st. Louis, road build
er, at cost of $6,100, while from the
Federal Truck Co., of st. Louis, they
purchased two traitors, at cost of
about 81 800 each. This equipment is
to be shipped at once, and when it ar
rives the work of permanent good
roads for st. Francois county will be
pressed forward. There is no reason
able question of a doubt but that the
present County Judges will be heart
lily endorsed and commended for their
action in this most important mat
ter, If not now, then soon as the whole
public can be brought into immedi-
ate contact with the unspeakable adj
that truly modern roads af-
ord them.
But there is one feature about this
transaction that will flare up to blind
he Doubling Thomases, and that is
hat this good roads equipment will
,verdraw considerably on the road
unds of the county, which were al
'eady practically consumed for the
,rcsent year without hardly any no.
lceable improvement being made in
he roads. But it is a fact, never
heless, that next years road money
must be drawn on to pay for this
'ear's road supplies and equipment.
sow, don't you think it really is a
hame-if not positive crime-that
ur County Court must be tied down
n such manner, for want of suf-
lclcnt road money, to thus have to
alt and hesitate, when the good of
he public highways is concerned?
he very thought that one of the
ickest counties in the whole State
# Missouri-whose actual property
alue will exceed 100000, ,0O0-seems
This is the time, of all times, it ap-
ears to The Times, when st. Fran
ois county should vote at least $780,
90 for improved roads. $1,000,0OO
lould be better. But with $500,00O
II the public roads in the county
ould be put in condition that they
ould be travelled in comfort, at any
nd all seasons of the year. And
that would such splendid sum of
loney, solely for the purpose of road
Improvement, cost the average tax
aver of the county? Practically
nd we believe absolutcly-not one
lnt more than he is now paying in
'xes. The only interests it could ma
erially effect would be the big min
lg companies, and the only way in
lich it would be more expensive to
lom would be providing the assessed
aluc of their plants was raised some
hat over their present assessed val
,, which is now generally recognized
being entirely too low. Give us
chance to vote on bond issue for
good roads-for either
100000 or $1,0O0,000, as the people
ay indicate. The Times believes the
,ople are now ready for such bolld
sue.