Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-02-17


he rush at the minute with probably worse result
or the than if action at all had take
Let's have the extra session and concentrate c
highways. It is too big, too vital project
be considered in connection with anything else An
is the time for action-while 100000 in the eder
reasury awaits taking.
Here is a timely editorial on the subject, with
double local "end" to it. Col W. L. Peel for years or
oi Atlanta's leading bankers, was in Americas fe
weeks ago on the trip to Florida mentioned. He sa
The roads we had before he raversed Fordas highway
Here is the editorial, from Sundays Atlanta Const
tuition
Automobile parties contemplating trips to
Florida should take warning from the experience of
Arthur Kelly, and avoid travelling the National
highway says an Americas news dispatch appearing
recently in The Constitution.
In brief, the experience" of Mr.. Kelly and his
two companions, travelling in an army car from
Camp Johnston, at Jacksonville, Fla, to Americas.
was that three days were consumed on the journey,
while picks and shovels were frequently used to
Their progress"
And the Dixie Highway is not much better.
In an Interview Colonel William Lawson Peel
who, in company with Mrs Peel, has just returned
from an automobile tour upon which they covered
1000 miles of roads in Florida, brings into striking
contrast the highways of that state with those of
Georgia.
In Georgia, says Colonel Peel roads that
fairly goods in dry weather, when drenched with
rain become dreadful" But
When we struck Florida it was different the
main roads connecting one town with another
paved with brick or asphalt sort of cement
foundation and the rains may descend and the foods
come but one ride with safety One can
drive straight across the state on hard roads that
do not endanger the car"
After their experience on the highways of Geor-
gia, when Colonel and Mrs. Peel started home they
shipped their car from Jacksonville caring to
undertake the muddy through the southern part
of Georgia again"
How is it that Florida can profit and grow and
thrive upon all Of the multitudinous benefits and ad-
vantages that are inseparable companions of good
roads, while Georgia content with almost impassa-
Die roads? ~.
Colonel Peel supplies the answer
Florida builds highways by issuing bonds-the
the states of the west and all other pro-
gressive states of are doing!
Florida is spending money-using it, and lots of
ton highway development; and, more than that
it is using it in the right way,
Ware county, Georgia, according to a news report
appearing in these columns few days ago, has
been spending $4,000 annually to maintain it's dirt
roads and to build a few miles if sticky clay roads,
and in wet weather people have to stay at home or
go by rail-"
In other words, each year Ware county is spend
ing $4O,OOO-enough to build two three miles of
year-round serviceabe highway, that would last for
generation-that might as we'll be dumped into the
river far as permanent community benefits go!
All over the state the roads are in horrible con-
ditons, with the exception of here and there little
stretch of pavement
And meanwhile Georgia is fast asleep!
With something like $7OOOOOO ready to be ex-
tended to it. gratis by the federal government Geor
ga thus far has been too inert too sothful too IN
progressive listless reach its hand to
grasp it.
But, thank Heaven, there signs of of awaken
ing. .~l
Better roads" sentiment is manfestng itself in
various quarters all the state Everywhere men
and organizations, beginning to realize the enormity
of the handicap under which Georgia is trying to
hold its place in the ranks are demanding that i'm
mediate steps be taken in the direction of a remedy
the only remedy Better Roads!
State Senator C, H. Peacock, of Eastman, said
the other day, in a statement to The Constitution.
that nearly everybody" in S section is not only
Disguised with the atrocous condition Of the high
ways and with the sluggish attitude of the state to-