Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-24
Road Tax Further Explained

FROM Tue OlScuSSlOn WHICH one hears
of the proposed 20 cent road tax,
there seems to be q considerable mis-
understanding Of the merits of this
proposition, and many people who re-
gard it from the wrong point Of view.
Much of the discussion centers
about the question of what the pro-
posed tax will cost. The proper view
point of. this feature has been very
well stated by the State Highway De
parement, which says that it is not
the cost Of good roads, but of bad
roads which should be considered. Ev-
eryone whose business, or pleasure,
requires the use of our county road
now pays an indirect tax far greater
than the proposed tax will amount to.
On most of our roads now, one ton is
"a good load for a team. With these
roads improved, the load can be dou-
bled or more. Time required for
travel is another item of cost. Any
automobile owner knows what bad
roads mean in the cost of operation
and maintenance of his car. The same
line of reasoning can be applied to
ANY kind of traffic, until the matter
becomes plain business proposition,
the same as the question of buying
new machinery, which will decrease
the cost, and increase the production
of the farm, or any other business.
Another feature of this proposition
deals with the education of the child
rem who live in the country, and the
entire social life of the community. A
large proportion of the children are
now obliged to miss a great deal of
time from school by reason of living
on roads which are impossible in bad
weather. For the same reason, many
of the younger generation leave the
farm and take up other lines of work
as soon as they are able to start out
for themselves, and many families
move into town so that their children
can have proper opportunities for ed
lucation.
Employment is also 70 be consider
ed in this connection. The Federal
government is urging extensive public
improvements as means of provid-
ing employment for returning soldiers
and men released from other war
work, in order to avert possible in
Idustrial depression. These improve
ments cannot be undertaken without
means to finance them.
AS to the needs Of the additional
fund which this tax will raise: The
price conditions controlling work of
this character, now, as compared
with a few years ago, were shown in
the article published in last Fndayls
Daily Register, but to this should be
added the fact that the amount Of
travel, and consequently the wear on
the pixies and roads, has increased
enormously in the same period.
Many people raise the objection that it
lis proposed to spend too large part
Iof the new fund in new construction.
Under the present system a cert
lamount of new construction is author
lied by the Court each year. The man
on the dirt road pays his taxes and is
entitled to the same consideration as
the man on the pike. The money
this new construction now comes out
Of the present 25 cent tax fund. If
the new tax voted, the amount now
spent each year for new construction
will be added to the amount now
available for maintenance, as will
also be 25 per cent of the new fund.
THE proposed new construction includ-
es bridges as well as pixies. Many o.
the, new bridges will be built on old
pixies, where there are no bridges at
present, or to replace worn-out
bridges. This is really maintenance
item, and should be so considered
Another feature of the new construc-
ton which is not generally known OF
considered, is the fact that, in the
CONSTRUCTION of new pixies, the people
directly interested will raise at least
one-half of the cost by private sub
lscription. Under the present system
with prices as they are now, they are
Iobliged to raise three-fourths or more
a burden which is not only unfair, as
the entire community benefits by ev-
lery mile of new pike built, but which
prevents the construction of many q
badly needed pike.
i The pike system of the county rep.
|resents an investment of several hu'
|dred thousand dollars, an investment
which should be protected BY =!
means. The proper proection OF thi'
system, by maintenance and surfact
treatment with asphaltic oils or sim
Iily msterial, Is now impossible undel
1.-THE present coditions Of traAac, Wit
jthe fundss available, and unless ~!
IxanE 1fsdison county TO rose r1e poei