The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1920-07-15
THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY
AND SOME REAL HISTORY



Then came another campaign. The
issue was plain. Judge Wear, every
one knew, had fought road improve
ment, except in the small instance
as above. Every opponent Of the big
district, SO far as known, supported
him.
On the other hand, H. w. Finger
was known as favoring good roads,
both by word Of mouth, and by deeds.
He was elected by a good majority,
fho many of Judge Wears old friends
stood by him despite his road attitude.
But, just as truly, and more plain
~ even than in the petitions for the
big highway, the majority was made
known Henry Finger was out and
out for roads, and Judge Wear had,
except in the minor case, proven him.
self opposed. Mr.. Finger was chosen
by the MAJORITY, and Wear was re-
tired
The war having come to an end, the
big road project was revived. The
petitions were laid before Judge Fin
ger, the prayers were granted. Then
Judge Wear and his co-workers in the
old road fight, with one notable ex-
ception, very consistently started in
to again defeat the road. They lost
in the circuit court, and the supreme
court, and the men chosen under the
law to carry on the work, proceeded
to the task placed in their hands.
But it was apparent to all that, if
the road was to be built it would cost
practically double what it would have
cost at the time it was stopped by
Judge Wear. 1t was seen that Judge
Wears action stood to cost the tax
payers either years of delay in pro-
gress, or from 100000 to 100000.
1t was mighty serious matter, but,
considering all, it was, whether right
or wrong, decided that Polk county
would gain by having the road more
than the added cost, would pay less
than it would lose by doing without
it.
Then the commissioners found
themselves in trouble. To get the
added funds they must have more tax.
To get more tax they must tax more
people, take in more territory And,
in addition, so it was claimed, an in
terest charge had to be made on the
assessments-bo both steps that would
have been entirely unnecessary be-
fore the war. as
At least some of those best known
as favoring road improvements, and
this one. in particular, seriously OBJ
jected to the steps, and protested per-
sonalIy to some of those in charge.
But the Alexander law placed in the
hands of the commissioners the power,
the unquestioned legal right, to ex-
tend the district, and it was done.
Then the second step, to make an in
terest charge, was arranged, it is un-
derstood on the highest legal advice,
and both these moves were incor-
porated in bill, and this bill was
passed at two special legislative ses-
sions, and approved by the governor.
Despite these provisions for in
creased revenue, when the matter of
paying for the bonds was taken up,
the bond buyers refused to make a
loan sufficient to build the highway as
planned, the cost Of which was to have
been about seso,OO0. They demanded
the total cost of the road should be
within 100000. They had engaged
TO take the bonds at a premium, 10s
cents on the dollar, and as the market
had largely declined, it is not unlikely
that they took the stand partly, al
least, in an effort to dodge their con
tract.
The result, however, was revision
Of the plans to meet the condition re
quired, the chief part of which. it i
understood, was the cutting of tn
hard surface from the proposed. widtl
of 16 feet down to IA feet, a move tina
a great many look upon with favor
The Star one among these, believing
as it does, that at this time 14-foo
hard surface road is sufficient for GU
needs, and that the cost under the RI
vised plan, together with interest an
necessary expenses. is all that tn
people should be asked to pay.
The matter Of approving road bond
in Arkansas, is in the hands, almos
exclusively, of one Little Rock la
hrm. Since the financial concern I'll;
contracted the jefferson Hirhwa
bonds has faced taking them at
price now 10 or IL cents above Il
market price, there is a snspici,
they may have been inclined, thru Il
law FIRM mentioned, to seek proun
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