Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1919-12-15

of folks from out of the county
from attending the farmers meet
ing in the circuit court room Satur-
day afternoon, the rural districts
were represented by over IT'S in
tensely interested men most of
whom live outside of Martinsburg
or have real estate in the county.
The meeting was called jointly by
the Berkeley County Farm Bureau
and the Martlnsburg Chamber of
Conemrce in order to carry to coun-
ty folks the proposition of bonding
the county for s1,000,000 with which
to make 1875 miles of road during
the next three or four years,
Among those who were in attend
ance were the members of the exc
cutive council of the Farm Bureau
including President l. d. VanMetre,
secretary J. G. DeBaugh, treasurer
Edwin c. Henshaw and vice presi-
dents J. Frank VanMetre, E. E.
Miller, Charles Ruble, George Rey-
nolds, L. II. Rooney, ]. F. Hesse and
County Agent Paul II. Teal. In adj
dition there were representatives
from Falling Waters, Mill Creek,
Arden, Opequon, Hedgesville and
Gerrardstown districts, the Falling
Waters men being specially prom
inent and active in the discussions
which came up. The Martinsburg
Chamber of Commerce was repre-.
scented by ! r. Poland, president;
Secretary Heinel and Ward Nolan
ahan.
Tho r,oafipe w aa1lad 70 orJor
by President /. d. VanMetre and
after the purpose of the meeting va
explained by County Agent Teal, ].
r. Poland was called upon TO speak
Of the relationship existing between
tie Chamber Of Commerce and the
Farm Bureau. Mr.. Poland said
that of the words which have been
worked hard during the past few
vears cooperation" has probably
received more attention than any
other. He nc'ded his remarks
by placing the Chamber of Com
MERGE and its resources at the dis
posal of the Farm Bureau and any
other men in the county interested
In it's welfare.
The question of improving the
roads in the county was brought up
then and discussion was lead by
Gray Silver, chairman Of the good
roads committee of the Chamber of
Commerce. Mr.. Silver gave the re-
suits of the Friday afternoon meet
ing and brought out in detail the
plan which was finally accepted by
the Chamber of Commerce with
recommendation that it should be
presented to its members for ap-
proval. This plan in brief consists
of the following: A proposal TO of.
fer for ratification by the voters of
Berkeley county serial bond is
sue of 100000 at 5 per cent in
terest to run 80 years, bonds to be
retired beginning in the third year,
a levy to be laid providing for in
terest and retirement. This bond
issue would provide for approx.
mately 125 miles of class A and B
road costing 100000 leaving $780,
600 for maintainence.
Considerable discussions tending
to clarity the proposition was in.
dulged in on the part OF Max Won
Schlegell. S. L. Dodd. John w. Dodd
L. P. Wilson, f. c. Henshaw, c. NJ.
Speck and others. In conclusion,
motion was made, seconded and
passed by unanimous vote endorsing
Commissioner Hesse's plan of i'm
proving class A and district roads
The resolution of endorsement
reads as follows:
I'VE stand firmly in favor OF CON
struction of highways OF such per
manent material and in such a
comprehensive way that every farm
viii be reached by roads as good as
serve our towns and cities. We en-
dorse Commissioner j. f. Hesse's
plan of improving class A and dis
trice roads in Berkeley county and
go on record az being willing to
support 1t to satisfactory compile
ton in every possible way"
Major Fortney and Edward
Smith, State District Engineer
spoke briefly upon the advisability
OF putting through the proposed
plan and then explained the $50.
100000 state bond proposition in
such way as to make it clear
that It would be to the advantage
of the residents of Berkeley county
to endorse the proposed amend.
ment with which would permit of
such bond issue At the close of
their remarks, the following reso-
luton was passed unanimously:
I'VE endorse thoroughly the pro
posed amendment permitting Of
S50,000,000 bond issue for tho de-
velopment Of permanent roadways
in the state of West Virginia
Ward McLanahan, vice president
Of the Chamber of Commerce sug-
gested a temporary organization
which would enable the voters of
he county to take action as re.
cards the authorization of a special
election by the county court and
aggested that the Chamber of
commerce was in a position to
work with any group of men Sc
lected at this meeting. In conform