The courier-index., 1919-03-07
THE ROAD QUESTION AGAIN

the following communication on the subject of good roads:
 "EDITOR COURIER-INDEX:
 T only wish to say to the public through the Courier-Index that I am certainly very greatly impressed with the proposition made at the Conner cial Club meeting advocating the con- struction of a system of approximate ly seventy miles of good roads in the four directions leading out of Marian na. don't think anything could be done that would prove more bene, ficial We all know taxes are already high If we would take just little time to think what Is going with our road money each year we would soon see that we spend money enough to build the right kind of roads, while we can go along under the present system for a hundred years and have no better roads. If all the people in terested are like myself, there would be no use of waiting. Petitions for the Commercial Club proposition ought to be started right away. would sign petition hundred times today and the next day if it were per missible
 "One word as to the Commercial Club; I would like to say we should not blame the organization with all the mistakes that are made. We should blame ourselves to some ex- tent for being so careless and not at tending the meetings that we might know better what is going on. don't know but that the little hand full that tried to slip this bottom road through while we slept did not do a good thing, as it has walked up quite a good many of us. It may get people aroused that we may do some good yet hope so. at least"
 "ONE OF THE OLD SETTLERS
 The Courier-Index cheerfully gives space to this communication because we believe the public mind can be better focused on constructive issues through an open discussion of the points involved. Too few people, es- pecially those who take an interest in public matters, ever express their opinions in the newspaper. and be- cause of this reticence to appear in the public prints many valuable sug gestions and helpful ideas are with held from those who take the lead in progressive movements.
 The advisability ot constructing permanent highways has long since passed the stage of argument. The only question that admits of contro- versy is the means adopted for pay ing for them. The old stock argu- ment that taxes are high counts for little. The people a hundred years ago, when debts and taxes were paid with coon skins and sassafras roots raised the same hue and cry. We have heard of "confiscation" of prop erty by excessive taxes ever since or ganized governments demandd a DOT tion of the peoples substance for the protection of society and the better ment of living conditions, and when Gabriel blows his trumpet and sum-
  lasting glory some of the old nickel twisters will hesitate at the grand entrance and ask St Peter if the tax rate in heaven is higher than it is in hell, and if 1t is heaven would be too uncomfortable for them.
 But the spirit of progress that has made the world better always accepts the challenge of opposition. girds it. self with the armor of a righteous cause and ultimately wins because it fights for the right and for those things that benefit and bless man. kind.
 This same spirit will eventually bring about a great system of good roads in Lee county. The people here will not be content with trailing behind Other counties in Eastern Arkansas are issuing bonds and building permanent roads. St Fran cis, Phillips, Crittenden. Desha Mis- sissippi, Monroe, Craighead and Greene are taking the lead. The men in Lee county who live in the present and future instead of in the past do not propose to remain inact i've when there is so much to be done for the advancement of the ma terial, social and moral interests oi the county. Their plans for net work of improved highways may not be carried out this year, but they will keep plugging at the proposition unti the opposition gives way.
 "Old Settler" has the right spirit We hope it will become courageous Incidentally however, it may be we1 to disabuse his mind of the erroneou. impression that a hand full' of mel tried to put the bottom road projec through Two big mass meetingl were held during the time the bot tom road and bridge matter wa under discussion. At one meeting