Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1919-12-13
WORKING OUT PLANS
FOR MILLION DOLLAR
ISSUE ROAD BONDS
Earnest Discussion of This Vital Matter Entered Into
Friday Afternoon By Chamber of Commerce,
County Officials and Good Roads Officials

/ Department OF Good Roads, volun-
teered 10 throw light on the sub
ject, but not from an authoritative
standpoint. He has based his opin-
ion upon what the procedure had
been in other states.
Major Fortney in replying to Mr..
Gray stated that in the plan to be
submitted with the bond issue pro
vision will be made TO rthe distri-
button of the money to the various
counties. It will be based upon
Class A mileage. In other words
Berkeley county would receive fed
eral and state aid to about the same
extent o fthe money she expends.
Mr.. Silver also spoke at some
length in regard to road classified
ton and declared Berkeley county
should be given credit for 100
miles, instead of rs. of Class A
roads. The method OF submitting
the question to voters was brought
and it was deemed best to submit
the question in the county as a
whole, not By districts 1t has been
shown in other counties where the
districts voted separately. one might
defeat the proposition, thereby up
setting the entire plan of road inn
provement.
Mr.. Smith took advantage OF the
occasion to impress upon the as
semblage the futility of a bond is
sue too small to alike care of the
roads after building. He believed
Berkeley county could and would
meet an issue of s1000,000 in bonds.
After all the road construction will
cost more than now estimated and
1t never does to figure too closely.
We should build for all time and.
make provision for the future by
caring for the roads after being
built.
AS to whether the county levy
would be sufficient, with the esti-
mated increase OF one cent, to build
and care for the roads, some were
optomistic; others thought it would
not. Attorney Emmert stated that
in several years the increased rev
enue from automobile licenses
would tax care Of the interest and
was strongly in favor of providing
for future contingencies.
Engineer Smith discussed the best
| type of roads and explained Just
what should be used in road con
struction to secure the best results.
He referred to the work done on
Winchester pike as first class
specimen Of class A road. Incl
dentally he emphasized the import
ance Of competent engineer and
further stated the the roads con-
federal and state commissions be
fore the county can get proper crJ-
dit.
The question Of securing some Of
the machinery and trucks used in
the war from the federal government
brought out the fact from Major
Fortney that, although there Is a
great quantity rusting away which
the highway commissions would be
glad to get, yet this state had al
ready secured about 70 per cent of
its allotment, whereas many other
states had secured only about 40
per cent
Colonel S. w. Walker, L. H.
Thompson, Charles w Kilbourn and
others took part in the discussion
and the keen questions by these in
terrogators helped to clarity the
situation Mr.. Edward Rutledge,
who thought the proposed bonds
should be seriai5, was heartily ayr
eed with by Mr.. Smith.
As final result and in order that
something definite be gained and
starting point made, it seemed to
be the unanimous opinion that
Chamber Of Commerce go on rec
ord. On motion of Colonel Walker
the Good Roads committee was in
structed to report favorably, to a
general meeting of the Chamber.
plan for a million dollar bond is
sue for the construction and
maintenance of roads in Berkeley
county, which motion was unani-
mously carried and the meeting
adjourned.
Last night a special committee,
consisting of II. II. Emmert, Ward
McLanahan and Mr.. Smith map
ped out in detail a plan which will
soon be made public. 1t was be-
lieved at noon today that the r',.n
would be sumbitted to the farmers
meeting this afternoon in the court
house.