The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-14
PLANS FOR
GOOD ROADS
Highway Convention Fornu-
lates Recommendation 20
The Legislature
BIG BOND ISSUE OF
s25,000,G00 SUGGESTED
Increased Tax on Automobiles
to Provide the Funds to Car
ry the Bond Issue.

Columbia, Dee. IA definite and
clear cut plan for the financing anG
construction Of an adequate system.
OF permanent highways OF the State
Of South Carolina was adopted yester-
day at the business meeting OF the
good roads delegates held IN the house
OF representatives.
The plan provides for the ccnstrHc-
ton of $500 miles of hard surfaced
roadway connecting every COUNT seat
in the State; for the issuance OF ~
year bonds to the amount Of S25, ,003.-
600: for an increase in the tax on
motor driven vehicles 20 such an eX-
tent that the whole expense Of the
construction will fall upon owners Of
automobiles and trucks; for the State
Highway commission TO have general
charge and supervision Of the con-
struction and maintenance Of the
highways and FOR an increase in the
personnel Of the highway commis-
sion.
The various features Of the plan as
submitted by r. G. Rhe;t, chairman
of the committee on plans, We're dis
cussed by the delegates. its details en-
larged upon, and finally it was adopt
ed without a dissenting vote.
The meeting was characterized b.. q
spirit of enterprise and hopefuluess
that augurs well for the future of the
plan, and the delegates seemed deter
mined to push with energy the scheme
through to a successful culniination.
When it was suggested that every
car owner in the State be solicited TO
SIGN a petition asking the legislature
TO take the necessary steps to put the
plan into operation, roll call pS
counties was made and without eXceo-
ton the delegates expressed the belief
that. the car owners in their counties
would be glad, to have the measure
mas into law and would be willing
to pay. the increased tax on their cars
The saving of tires and gasoline bE
the highwavs was stressed time and
again and it was shown by figures
that car owners would save from Slof
to 5000 per year on their cars despite
the increased tax which they Will be
called upon to pay.
One of the most effective speeches.
CT the day in this connection was
made by William Bersuson of Char
lesion, originally of Wayne County
Michigan, the county in, which IS 10
Gated tee city Of Detroit. He too OF
the vast expenditure of funds for s5oof'
roads IN that county, OF the enorn1ou
enhan cement in the value OF lands ad-
foin;ng the highways. and. OF the
steadily growing enthusiasm on TIE
subject Of good roads.
A.. V. Smell OF Charleston. good
roads enthusiast Of the first water
did effective work IN checking alaiess
discussion. and pointed out the neces-
ssty OF taking definite action to n,'.
the proposition through. saying 1haS
both a legislative committee ana =
committee on publicity We're needea
TO keep, the people back home awe
to the Importance OF The movement
and to let the county delegations
Know that the people were n favor cl
adequate highways.
While the delegates Were awaiting
the report OF the committee OF pans
the mater OF posting signs or the
present roads was brought up. NJ
rnerous instances We're given Of NeXa-
tious and expensive delays to tr@ eel
ers brought about by the absence OF
sign posts Several Of the delegates
had become lost themselves N trylne
70 go from town TO town. and 1t was
ncinted OF that there is a law II
fierce at present which requires the
raa rkine of highways.
a uniform system oc marking The
roads was suggested, and after con
siderable discussion G motion was
passed instructing the highway com
mission to devise some plan for mark
ing the highways and to submit thF
plan to the county supervisors
j. A ,Fairleigh, representing the
Portland Cement Association, va
given the floor for q short time anf
brought to the attention Of the deie
gates the good results that have con'
from using cement in roadbuildns
He estimated that about $50 900 pei
mile would be required to pay FOR sh'
cement used on a road IS feet wide
the cement being six inches thick OF
the SIDES and 1-2 inches thick in thS
middle of the road.
In order to drive home tho lmpor'
tance of good roads to people all eve:
the State, it was realized that pub
Iicitv director who could give his en-
tire time to the preparation and dis
.semination of good roads literature
was needed and that funds would b
necessary to secure the services OF
such O. man.
4 committee on ways and means,
consisting of r. A. Wilson of York
r. f. Grabel. secretary of the Ander-
con chamber of commerce. anG Ja'ne'
O,Hear of Charleston was appointed.
The publicity committee is to con
sist of member from each congress
sional district and also of one neo1be;
from each county The director cf
publicity is to be appointed at late:
meeting.
The legislative committee. which /
to bring before the county delesatlon'
70 the. legislature the importance o