The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-09-26
Sidney Sugss, Pioneer Good Road Advocate "Stl
m Job" Witnesses Many Original Plans Being
Developed Throughout County State and Nation

Placed in Hands of En-
gineer Under Federal and
State SOntrOl
ITO work for something 20 years and
10 realize that ideas for which you
have devoted hours days and weeks
yes years, are at last assuming
concrete form, is indeed soul crafty
ing" Col. Sidney Suggs, pioneer good
roads advocate said in commenting
upon present conditions and plans for
road building throughout the country.
u have always wanted to see this
country completely transversed with
good roads" Mr.. Suggs continued u
have always believed that 1t would
do more toward developing the coun-
try than anything else. And now |
believe that state aid should be given
first to the undevelope0 portions OF
our state, thus helping the sparse
Is settled communities, especially
where the people cannot help them
selves along this line. Thickly settled
communities are more likely TO be
able TO help themselves and can build
laterals to the national and state high
ways This will bring about the de-
sired results quicker than anything else
| believe.
In Hands of Competent Engineer.
eThere is another thing which |
hope can be brought about and that
Is THAT the legislature will enact a
law providing that county engineer
shall supervise al, road building with
in his particular province, provide him
with ample funds and power to main
tain the roads. In otlier words | be-
leve in specialists. A competent engi-
neer. one who thoroughly understands
road building should have charge of
this work. believe it should be taken
ont Of the hands of the county COM
missioners and placed in the hands
of an engineer who is under state
control.
Trunk Lines Parallel Railroads.
The proposed trunk lines to be
built by the government, or rather
government aid to state and county
funds will mean that at least so 900
miles OF good roads will be construct
ed. Each state should have two of
these highways, one transversing north
and south, and other east and west.
These trunk lines. in my opinion,
should be parallel with the railroads
ana as near the right of way as pos
sible. A great saving could be brought
about this way in that road building
material could be placed near the
line of construction with very little
expense.
The trunk lines should be feet
wide with a 4 l-2 BERN on either
side. They could be constructed at
cost believe, not exceeding $4,000
per mile. The road leading from Ard
more through the Arbuckle mountains
10 the Murray county line cost $4,000
per mi'e and will carry any load. It Is
} easily maintained. The miles OF road
hullt by the government at the Ma
tcnal Plat park. Sulphur, is built of
local material and stands up well. Is
easily maintained and cost less than
$4,000 per mile.
Use Local Material
4 believe in using local material
wherever possible and within close
proximity 10 Ardmore We have some
OF the best road building material in
he world.
II has been suggested that the gov
ernment could take over all lines, that
have been partially completed. and fin
!sh them for $500, ,O0O 600.
Could Use interest ON War Loans.
"Of course the great problem. should
this plan be adopted. would be how to
raise ibis amount OF money. I have
said ON numerous occasions. and be-
leVe II a true solution 10 the prob.
lem. that II the congress of the
United states win set apart the
interest on the $40. 0.0O0. 600 900 that Eu-
fopean countries owe TO the United
states. making 1t a perpetual road
itnd, per cent per annum will bring
10 us S5OO'OOO,OO0, which could not
TO nay mind be used To a better ad.
vantage than the building OF National
trunk lines of highways.
Happiest Citizen the Home Owner.
nope my suggestion VIII receive
earnest consideration. do not believe
that there would be a single protest
10 lhis suggestion. The good which
would be derived from this metbod
cannot be estimated. IL would f,,r,.
ish employment for thousands Of la
oorers' II would enable them To earn
money with which 10 buy homes
along the roads and to my mind
he happies'. most patriotic Citizen 10
inc one who owns aud maintains IA
home"
Mr Snggs has long been working
ana talking for good roads and ba,
attended practically every national
good roads meeting held In tho mas,
" yeais' lie is a member OF the
Council Of Commissioners of the Ma.
iona Highways Association.
Advanced Plan In 1911.
III lsl4 while attending a nntlop,l
convention at Detroit Michigan Az
Suggs delivered an address ON "vt,.
tne Government Should Build own
ana Maintain System OF puhl,c
highways'" which So impressed ,bc
officials OF the association ,ba, h,.
speech was copyrighted and thou.
sahus OF copies sent broadcast ovcr
me United States. re was M tb,t
tme state highway commissioner NJ
oklahoma. His address was ms ,o,.
lows. was az iol-
Tue PRIVILEGES Of Humanity"
i'"e' IDerty aud the peaceful MIR.
SUIT Of happiness are guaranteed %
'ne people OF America. from the mos,
waited TO the most humble ellison
30 my mind the building of good roads
"'i oring this about moro effective.
ana more permanently than nnv
o'ner issue which Is now confron,lny
our our people We have already waited
'oo long For the past 40 years o,.
county has been furnishing I,s h"..