Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-01-05

ROAD ENGINEER
COMES TO HEAD
DISTRICT WORK
Hawkins In Charge Of
Atlanta Division
May Quit Here

Co-incidentally with the announce
ment in Atlanta of new plan of su-
perintending highway construction
throughout the state and the ap-
pointment of division highway engi-
neers under the state highway de-
partment for each congressional dis
trict, W. c. Caye, Jr., of Louisville 4
KY, superintendent for the Third d.
vision, arrived in Americus this
morning and was introduced to the
county board at the regular monthly
meeting by Joseph w. Hawkins, of
/ the firm of Thomas & Hawkins, pro-
ject engineers in charge of Sumter
county's rural highway paving pro-
gram. Mr.. Caye will make his head
quarters in Americas and will have
offices in the court house, the old
county court room having already
been allotted to him by the commits
sioners.
The announcement of the district
engineer plan also brought word that
Mr.. Hawkins, who is a native of
Americus, has been appointed district
engineer for the Fifth congressional
district in which Atlanta is located,
one of the principal districts of the
state, recognition which is consid-
cred by his friends a distinct honor
to him.
Engineers May Withdraw.
Under the district plan, it is the
intention of the state highway depart
ment to put these district engineers
directly in charge of all federal aid
road building as project engineers,
principally for the sake of harmony
in construction and unity of plan, and
to better carry out the state high
way scheme. In counties where pro-
ject engineers have already been en-
ployed and work begun, as in Sum-
ter county, the engineers may either
complete their contracts or may with
draw if they WISH The state high
way ENGINEER has fixed a scale of /
compensation on which what he con-
sidered just settlement in such with
drawals may be made. 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Hawkins in executive |
session of the board this morning
made proposal for settlement with !
his firm for the work already done
and the surrender of the contract as
project engineers. Under his appoint
ment to the Atlanta district, he could |
not continue the work here, it is said, !
but his firm could. The board men,
hers did not accept the proposal at
this time, some considering the
amount asked excessive, it was said,
and desiring to consult with the state
highway department before acting.
Agreement Expected
1t was indicated, however, that
there was a likelihood cf an agree
ment being entered into between the
board and the engineering firm for
the withdrawal of Thomas and Haw
kins and the engineering work being
taken over by the new division engi-
neer. Definite announcement on
this point within a few days is ex-
pected.
Mr.. Caye stated today that he is
here to remain. EXCEPT as he may be
called to Atlanta frequently until
his office here is properly and fully
organized. He stated that he will
have two assistants who will repre-
sent him in dealing with the various
counties in the districts. stenogra-
rher, an office craftsman and at
least two surveying parties of 5 o.
more men each. These he expects t.
organize in a couple of weeks and
to be ready for work on a large
scale throughout the district before
February I.
Mr.. Caye is young man. who re-
ceived his acquaintance with Geor-
gia principally when he was station
ed for months at Camp Gordo.
when he was a captain in the 82d
division. He was formerly connect
ed with the engineering department
of the Southern Rqilway, with head
quarters in WASHINGTON, and later
waS highway contractor IN LoulS-
vile.
The District En~ineers.
In compliance with the resolution
adopted by the Safe Highway Com
mission at its November meeting
when it decided to place distric'
resident engineer in charre of all
work in the respective districts done
under state or federal aid the follow
ing district en~ineers have been an
nounced in Atlanta.
First Division--B. H. Graft, head
quarters, Savannah.
Second Divie;on--F~"n'l Mitchell
headquarters, Thomasville.
Third Division--W. c, Caye, Jr.,