The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-08-01
The Road Question
Editor Fayette FALCON.

complaining of road conditions. 1t is
usually waste of time and energy to
reply to criticism. We cannot ell think
alike. 1t would be sorry and uninter-
esting world II we did. Every man
who sets out to do anything in the pub
lie interest naturally becomes target
for those who differ with him. How
ever, every man in such position has
a right to expect that criticism of his
acts be intelligent and based on fact.
Opinions as to policies and methods may
differ but the truth remains as constant
and unsssailsble as the rock of Gibrsl-
tar.
1t is with the truth in relation to DR..
Albright's article that this story has to
deal. Let US set these matters right,
Mr.. Editor, and then. IL you will allow
me, may make some general obser
vations on the responsibility of those
who disseminate ''backstairs gossip"
without taking the trouble to ascertain
10 truth.
There are four statements in DIR.
Aibright's article on which all his con-
clusions are based. They are:
First-That the roads are in rotten
shape.
Second l. That the Highway Com
missisn has spent S27 600 on these roads
and now asks for 80, 900 more.
Third That only 100 miles of road
have been built or worked.
Fourth That the Commission spent
5000 in June on machine repairs.
Let US take up these statements in
, their order. With the first | can agree
with The Doctor. The roads, as whole,
are in rotten shape and while this phase
of the subj ect is under discussion it is ne
cessary that the Doctor and everybody
else realize this fact now tina, some of our
roads will still be In rotten shape when
the years work is finished and probab-
ly next year and the year following
some of them will still be in bad shape.
A good road system Is not product of
few months growth. As to the
causes behind the present condition Of
our highways, will not presume to
discuss that fe ature OF 1t with DR.. Al
bright. He 10 entitled to his opinion.
DR.. AlbIight's second statement
would be important. If true. Person
ally, believe the citizens Of Fayette
County would be Justified in lynch
ing party with the Highway Commis-
sioners on the knotted end of the rope
il we had spent SGT, ZOO on the roads
with no more to show for 1t.
Now what are the facts?
In the beginning the county had only
S13, 3,229 IS available Tor all purposes,
bridges, Ievees, new equipment and
roads. Out Of this amount the High
way Commission has spent on building
roads (nut s27,U00) but So, S8l So
This amount includes the expense
OF running three tractors, salaries. oil,
gasoline. money paid contractor 10 Dis
trict Is, all items for special work In
repairing bad spots in the roads.
DR.. Albright speaks of the large
amounts spent for new equipment.
Let Us see what this amounts 10.
The Commission has spent for equip
ment the sum OF $7,008. .33. This in
ciudes the purchase OF two tractors,
road graders. drsSs, three teams oil
mules. harness. wagons, Ford auto
trucks, shovels, picks. e,c.
Part of this equipment has a con.
stantly delerloatlug value rs machine
ry wears out with use, but the mu e
teams are worth more today than the
county paid for taem.
Now as TO statement number 3. that
only 100 miles OF road have been worked
This statement 10 30 riolculous as Co b.
imbecile. The tractor crews alone
have built 200 miles of road IN spite of
the fact that II has Ouiy Oeen since
June l5 that the weather has
permitted uninterrupted work. The
Commission has no exact figures AZ
hand as to tue milesge worked by other
methods, but a conservative estiu.a ale
would be 200 miles more.
Regarding the fourth statement that
5000 90 was shent in June on machin.
repairs. The books show that onb
$42s 20 has been spent during The whois
wear on these repairs. IL Is true tina,
the Commission paid Chas. Oliver a
check for s6v7 in June, but this inclu
ded the purchase of Ford car and tso
new automobile castings. Oily small
part of il was for repairs. Under ou'
contract with the tractor manufacturer
repsirs on each tract are guaranteed
not to exceed $50 % per year.
have no fault to find. Mr.. Editor,
with any intelligent criticism Of the
Commissions methods or policies but
believe you viii agree with me that DR..
Albright conld have learned all these
things By examining the county records.
There i 3 receipted bin or voucher