The Port Gibson reveille., 1919-02-20
GOOD ROADS MATTER
WILL NOT DOWN
Explaining Mr.. J. Il. brakes Appar-
ent Objections Stated In His Art
iclc in Feb. l3th Reveille.

As the writer Of the above mem
toned article caudidly states that he
has no practical working knowledge
q improved roads, costs, etc, his OBJ
jections ard resulting conclusions
will be considered rather as inquiries
than as objections, and 80 answered,
Answering by paragraphs;
Ans, 70 Par. 2, BY voting in favor
Of improved roads IN Dist. i, we, the
tax payers, will not Ego the Limit
on mortgaging the district for that
purpose II we vote In favor of COM
ing within the improved roads chap
ter OF Laws Of Mississippi 1914
tGhap. l76), a competent and eX-
perienced Civil Engineer viii be en-
ployed 70 survey and estimate the
cost Of building the road decided up
on mile for mile, the only way to
ascertain the cost, which estimate Of
cost the engineer will submit TO the
Board of Supervisors and Commits
sioners Of Claiborne county for their
approval or disapproval, as they think
best. If the estimated cost Is ap-
proved bonds will be issued in an a.
mount equal 70 the nscertained pro-
pordoned Of Dist. 1's cost federal
Government hears part of expense
not more than 81 Of building such
road, and that road only.
AZ we we're informed by the State
Highway Engineer, at jackson, who
has charge Of distribution of Feder-
al Aid Road money, that the time
was growing short for application
for this years apportionment Of such
money, we made application, in an
ticipation Of ouf election 10 become q
good roads district, fof $30,000.00 of
Federal Aid Road money This money
y given by the U, $. Government to
the various states TO encourage and
assist in building improved connected
Interstate and county roads over the
country. Roads which the govern
nient will help to build are designated
as Post Roads (mail routes) or pros
pective Post roads, all s Of our dis
trlcts have them. The roads must
be connecting roads with other coun-
ty roads. Such roads must conform
70 and be built according to Govern
ment specifications, and inspected,
supervised and approved by the Gov
ernment, but not necessarily expen-
sive.
Ans. Par. 3. The FIRST cost cannot
be ascertained until the engineer act-
ually surveys and estimates the road.
Such a road will be built as will be
in proportion to the property values
in our section. Preferably a good
gravel road, AS it seems to be the
best, considering the expense, etc.
We want as good roads as we can af-
ford, but not expensive beyond our
ability 70 pay for, and out of proper
tin to our land values
The State Highway Engineer in
forms us that road bonds issued by
the various counties IN the state are
not hard to float, but on the contrary
are very saleable, lie speaks from
personal knowledge of the sale of
hundreds Of thousands OF them in
this state. The bonds issued shall
mature not later than 25 years. To
bear interest not exceeding 6 per cent
interest per annum, They shall be
exempt from all taxes And shall bel
payable in annual installments
AtTER ten years This means that
We viii have the use Of the roads for
10 years after roads are built as well
as the enhanced value such roads will
give our property before beginnian
10 pay for same.
An answer 10 our inquiry as 20
qualifications Of the engineer stated
that the people Of the district through
which he assisted to build roads COM
planned \ good bit because of the ex-
travagant expenditures in building
his roads. Enough TO say that ac-
cording 20 information from our
neighboring counties that have gravel
roads, and according to reason. SiO0
60 5000 per mile maintenance cost
OF improved roads is away too hirh.
The maintenance cost Of some parts
Of the road viii be almost nominal
for years after construction. Other
parts Of such roads where the strain,
wear and tear is greater will of
course, cost more TO maintain. But
the average maintenance cost accord
ing to our neighboring counties ex-
perience viii be considerable less than
above statement.
Ans Par. 4. The exact cost of TIE
up-keep of our roads at the present
time can be ascertaincd BY reading
the Minutes Of the Board Of Super-
visprs. Bids for contract to work |
reads were considered BY the Board /
of supervisors few days ago and 1
we're $50, 500, Sl25 per mile as com I
pared with SIS per mile for the same
foadS a year ago SO maintaining
improved roads win not BE IN such
greater as maintenance ~ I
our present roads. True there Is
complaint, but we tax payers COM
PLAIN Of paying high taxes ana not
getting good roads rather than the
high tax itself.
Ans Par 5. Il is true the road
cost win continue n
- 'A'fsssisis - svsA any read ths |