The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1920-05-07
DISTRICT ROAD CHAIRM'N
ASKED FOR STATEMENT
This Newspaper Asks Hon. c. w. Whedbee to
Break Silence of His Commission And Tell
Why The Edenton- Virginia Road
Has Not Been Built

, There have been SO many in
false and misleading
statements m de by certain
newspapers and individuals con-
cern1ng the lack of activity up
on the part of the North Caroli-
ma Road District Commission.
that this newspaper has asked
the Chairman of that Commis-
sion for a public statement of the
facts, believing that the public is
entitled to statement from him.
Under date of May / w. O.
Saunders, editor of this newspa-
per, wrote to Mr. Chas. w.
Whedbee, Chairman of the Com
mission, as follows:-
May !, 1920
Hon. Charles Whedbee, Chm,
Northeastern Carolina Road District
Hertford, N. c.
Dear SIR
Nearly fifteen months have elapsed
since the North Eastern Carolina
Road District was created by an Act
of the General Assembly of North Car
olina.
The purpose for which this district
was created was to put a hard sur
faced road from Edenton to the Vir-
ginia State line. The Commission of
which you are Chairman was created
by the same Act (Chapter 573 Public
Local Laws, Session 1879 your COM
mission being vested with the author
ity to build the road designated in the
act.
Nearly 5 months have elapsed since
the enactment of the Northeastern
Carolina Road District Act and the
creation of the Commission of which
you are Chairman. At this late date
your Commission has sold no bonds
and not spade of earth has been
turned or brick laid upon the pro-
posed hard surfaced road from Eden
ton to the Virginia state line. In
meantime the tax payers of this dis
trict have been given almost every
kind of unofficial reason why the Eden
ton.Virginia Highway has not been
huiit4-a First aud last the public has
been told that the Chamber of Cum
merce of Elizabeth City opposed the
road; that the Pasquotank Highway
Commission attempted to block the
construction of the road; that group
of politicians in Elizabeth City was
trying to kill the road. And now we
are told by the paper published in
your town that activity on the District
Highway has been halted by misrepre-
sentations made by THE INDEPEN-
DENT.
The Northeastern North Carolina
public is entitled to the exact truth
about the status of this District High
way. You can give the public the
exact truth. l am therefore respect
fully appealing to you for this infor-
nation. believe that you will be
glad of this opportunity to take the
public into your confidence, especially
since the public, the tax payers, have
had no expression from you or from
any member of your commission re-
you an opportunity to clear up a lot
of misunderstanding. If this news
paper has at any time misrepresented
your Commission or the District High
way proposition, in any manner or
form, say so. If any one in Elizabeth
City has halted or interfered with the
activities of your Commission in any
way, say so.
As matters now stand the public
is beWildered and confused by a mass
of conflicting statements concerning
the status of the Northeastern Caro-
lima District Highway and your Com
mission has done nothing to clarity
the situation or reassure the public
in any way. | believe the public will
welcome statement from you and
that such a statement will gain for
you the confidence and support of
many who may have become indffer-
ent toward the District Highway pro-
ject because of the misunderstanding
that has been created.
A prompt reply will be appreciated.
With all good wishes ever, am
Sincerely and respectfully
w. o. SAUNDERS.
Under date of Nav 4 Mr. Whadbao