The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-07-02
Facts and Figures About Roads


not think the Highway Commission has
good Intentions? OF course do.
Their intentions we're undoubtedly good.
but unfortunately the only road that lie
paved with good intentions is the road
to hell. | hope not to travel that.
Their intentions were honorable, but
who is going to support the child of
their efforts. now that It's parents are
out of both.cash and credit?
asked the County Attorney what
right this commission had to draw
overdrafts? His reply was, 1.-THE same
right as you have to draw drafts on
the bank in which you have no funds"
II they can draw for 100000. why
not 500. 100000? Are there no safe
guards around the public funds Hor
around the public credit? Backed by q
complsisent Court, to what limit can
they &C?
Once more il must be stated, that
there is in the writer's mind no suspi-
cion of dishonesty. This money was
wasted. not grated. That makes the
situation worse, because with the best
of intentions. and the purest of motives,
the same mistake continues. A man
can be punished. for bis misdeeds.
The people suffer for bis mistakes.
Let this whole thing be stopped. Let
US sell. give away. or hire some one
to take these miserable tractors. Let
US cease using the trucks either as
tractors or as passenger cars. Used
IS trucks they will be valuable to the
county. Let each district take its own
wheel tax and compensation tax and
path the roads as best they can, and
in the meanwhile, prepare for another
year. | offer the following plan, for
the consideration of the county. 1t is
an outline of what can be done.
1--Hsve three good business men
plan budget for the various depart
ments of the County and let the Coun-
ty Court fix tax rate that will meet
these requirements.
2-Divide three fourths Of the road
tax among the different districts in
proportion to the amount they pay.
Let the other one fourth be held by
the County as an emergency fund to
be used in case of any sudden disaster
to the roads, caused by storm or food,
but when so used, to be considered as
loan to the separate districts. A
part of this fund should be used to
employ County Supervisor. and If at
any time it shall exceed $40. 900. 90 the
surplus is to be divided among the dis
tricts.
$50 back to the contract system,
but make the contracts for two years,
and let them be made by District Com.
missioners in each district.
4-Urge upon the legislature to re-
peal the wheeltax. Its undemocratic,
unjust and vicious, also it has been
collected. Change the compensation
law; 1t Is ridiculous on its face to 81.
low man to buy his time from the
county at fifty cents per day. and sell
1t back to the county at $500 per day.
He should pay at least $500 per day
| for bis time.
5-EIect Skip Boswell road super
visor. He has shown that he knows
how to make and keep road both in
winter and summer. and over rough
ground as well as over level land. Let
him have charge Of the contractors
and let no contractor be paid until he
has received a certificate from the
supervisor that be has faithfully carried
out his contract. 81
This II my road plan OF course II
can be improved by general discussion.
give it only as my idea Of what shall
be done. In concluding these articles
on the road situation, want 10 Say
that have been sctuated by no per-
sonal III will to any individual. The
Highway Commission is composed Of
Honorable Gentlemen. but having
failed in their mission, they should step
aside and give some other plan trial.
/ do not believe that there is either
room nor necessity for a Benevolent
Despot in this county, however wisely
be may rule. Surely inefficiency should
put an end TO his rule.
W. R. SEAY