The Bienville Democrat., 1921-05-05


but the ordinary graded or carthen
roads, and that all that it would cost
the parish would be the actual cx
penSeS of making the survey. Th,
highway department would then ap
prove such roads and it would be
possible to later get aid from the state
on these roads, after they have been
approved. There is no possible chance
to ever get aid from the state or fed
crAl highway commissions on roads
built entirely under the supervision Of
Mr. Wilson, Wards t and who's,
roads are being built will never h
able to get any aid on their roads as
we understand the law and the rules
of these departments, as neither of
these roads are being built under the
supervision of the highway depart
mcnt, either as graded or graveled
roads. 1t is only a question Of time
until the good people Of these wards
will Wake-up to the realization that
they have ne good roads and their
money is gone, if we are correctly in,
| formed as to the plans under which
they are being built
The Democrat does not advocate the
hasty expenditure of the road money
and eXhorts the people not to be il
I too big a hurry about getting the
roads built, because to get the best
results and the most roads for oul
money, time should be taken and the
fund spent in conservative and
economical manner.
We understand that roads can be
built much cheaper now, possibly 2'
to 30 per cent cheaper than they could
have been built six months ago, If
this is true then the parish has saved
a considerable amount by not accept
Ing the bids that were opened May
3lst, 1920, almost year ago. Mr.
Wilson, and according to the minutes
of that date, three members Of the
police jury wanted to contract for tho
roads then.
! OF course Mr.. Wilson had a good
reason for his action because by let
| ting these contracts he would already
have gotten all his money and finish
ed his job, and would have incident.
ally cleaned the parish Of the million
dollar bond issue, and we would have
had only such roads as Wards t anf
6 now have, with no hope of getting
any state or federal aid.
There is no good reason for the mem
bers of the police jury joining Mr.
Wilson in the hurried and eXtravagant
expenditure of the funds, if they are
honestly looking after the interests of
the parish It might be different O.
course, if they were in league with the
| interest Of Mr.. Wilson and continued
to listen to his dictation.
We also understand from what We
have heard Of the discussion in tho
police jury room relative to our road
money and getting our roads built
under the supervision of the highway
department, that the road funds arr
not deposited in a legal depository as
required by law in order for the high
way department to take charge an(
contract for the building Of our roads
| We do not know anything about this
matter but think the police jury should
do what is necessary to get all the
state and federal aid possible, and al
least have our money in legal shape al
all times.
This article is written because of
the numerous inquiries by the people
and in order that the officers may
know what the people desire at their
hands in handling of the frunds and
| the building of the roads, as this
money represents to many of them a
sacrifice of the actual necessities Of
life, in order that the high taxes might
be paid. The only interest the Demo.
crat has is that Of citizen and tax.
payer, and as such, to get the most
roads for our money when it is spent
in a conservative and economical way
The Democrat is not placing the
blame anywhere, but we all know that
there is hitch somewhere, the money
is gradually slipping away and yet
we art not getting what it was sup.
posed to be spent for. We desire tt
stand with the majority Of the people
in their effort to place the blame
where it belongs no matter where it
may fall.