The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1920-05-04

have an opportunity to vote on the
question as to whether the county
shall take such action as will make 1t
certain that she shall be among the
first to secure the construction of
hard-surfaced, 365-day-a-year roads
in accordance with the provisions of
the new Kentucky Road Law.
The law points the way for incor-
porating thirty-one miles of Mont
gomery county roads as a part of a
primary system of State Highways,
approximating $500 miles to be con-
structed by the state, and to be main
tanned by the State-the cost of con
struction and the cost of maintenance
to be paid by the State.
1t so happens that previous expen-
ditures on this particular thirty one
miles of highway have exceeded one
half of the entire sum available for
the county road fund, which sum lis
approximately $4,000 a year.
That, however, is not the most i'm
portant phase of the situation. The
Immediately pressing problem is that
created by the fact that these roads,
Notwithstanding this large expendi-
ture, are now in condition described
by those qualified to speak authorita-
lively as "literally ruined" And folks
are wondering whether in the coming
winter these roads will be passable
for what has now become the regular
heavy traffic burdens they are sub
jected to.
When these roads become auto
matically an integral part of the pri-
mary system of State Highways,
which they do Immediately upon the
completion of reconstruction by the
State, the county will be relieved of
the burden of this heavy annual ex-.
penditure for upkeep, and in due
course the sum hitherto expended for
that purpose will be available for
maintaining a higher standard of
roads throughout the county.
OF far greater Importance is the
fact that these two great thorough
fares traversing the county East and
West, North and South, will then be
hard surfaced. all-the-year- round
roads for maximum load and maxi
mum speed, that they will add to the
prosperity of the county and that
every property interest in the entire
county will be either directly or in
directly benefited therety-and of
transcendent Importance is the fur
ther fact that these roads will consti-
tute the most potent factor, the only
possible factor in an ultimate higher
standard for ALL ROADS in Mont
gomeTy county.
1t is not proposed in this article to
enter into a discussion of the rea-
sons why Montgomery county should
be prepared to hasten construction of
these roads nor why she should pro-
tect herself against the necessity for
spending further vast sums on these
roads for the kind of reconstruction !
that, to again quote those who speak
authoritatively, "will not withstand
one winters wear" That will come
whom the way has been cleared for
tek'nT the sense of the people as to
what shall be done.
There are in circulation certain in
aceuracies as to conclusions, drawn
from incorrect premises, which will
be taken up and discussed in proper
sequence. Likewise, in due course. we
shall take note of the fact that the
Finite mind is heavily handicapped
when using the word Impossible in re-
lation to the future. Nevertheless.
that handicap will not prevent us at
tempting to prove to the satistac-
lion of the people of Montgomery
county that some possible remote,
very remote contingencies now being
given currency are not reasonably
probable. The Advocate believes. of
course. that there is room for honest
difference of opinion. II believes, Of
course. that we all wish to do what
ver is for the best interests of
Montgomery county. To that end the q
advocate proposes TO give a full, free j
nd frank exposition of the question. |
rom which the people of Montgom-
ry county may reach a conclusion I
s to what is reasonably probable, I
nd then act as conscience may die 1
ate in the interest of the common Z
Ieal /
All about us counties are pressing Ii
onward in this Good Road Work. i