Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-01-27
OUR ROADS.

Increased tId!ei 80 muCil Oh our ROADS
that their proper maintenance has be-
come a serious matter. In order TO get
fair return for the money invested in
automobiles we should be enabled to
save time when travelling by machine
Time is money" In order 10 make
time, roads should be solid and smooth.
Up 70 this time road-builders general
~ do no seem to have agreed just
as TO what is the best method TO build
and maintain roads that are used
freely. But we in this county do not
seem to have any system at all.
There are five districts in tine county
each one of which is entitled to a road
supervisor. The supervisor is selected
BY the commissioner from that district
and usually does pretty much as his
commissioner directs. But not all the
roads in each district are in charge OF
the supervisor. Certain main roads are
designated as Glass A roads and all
these are placed in charge OF another
man. Now all these six men may and
usually do have different notions as 10
how roads should be built and kept
up. This personnel is changing more
or less after each election. Then we
have better roads in some districts than
in the others, depending very much on
the man in charge.
1t appears TO me We would get better
results if all the roads in the county
were placed in the hands of one man
under the authority of the County
care of at one place when not in use
Court, and all the road machinery taken
am informed that it cost five hundred
dollars last year to repair the steam
engine and air drill used in Shep-
herdstown district, on account of hav-
ing been left out in the weather for
some time.
| enclose a clipping from the Balti-
more Sun of recent date in which the
Federal Bureau at Washington strongly
recommends the way Maryland has
improved many of her roads. wish to
call particular to the the following
points the bureau makes:
First 1t is better to build a cheap
road and keep it in good condition than
to build the most expensive highway
and then 10 permit it to deteriorate for
want of care.
Second. The roads are constantly
patroled and no hole of anv size is
allowed to go unrepaired. Material for
patching is kept at convenient points
dlOnG me ROAD.
Third. Notice this way of making
roads avoids the detour nuisance
Many of our people will remember how
last season the traffic from Charles
Town had to go across to the Shenan-
doah river down to MillvilIe, BACK &c
the pike and part of the time across to
Pitchers Mill and for mile or so over
a dangerous road between the Potomac
river and the B. & o. Railroad tracks
to the Ferry.
Our County Court about a year age
was asked to put patrols on our roads
but nothing much came of it, owinf
very largely perhaps to the roads being
under so many heads.
IL all the roads in the county were
under one management a small truck
with two or three men and tools could
perhaps patrol the whole county from
Charles Town.
Nearly all the roads in the county
nave good foundations, and it is sim
ply a matter of putting crushed stone on
1lem In the right way and keeping the
water off.
West Virginia voters by large ma
Jority authorized the Legislature to is
sue ponds for as much as S50OOO 900
10 Duild roads. | wonder how much
OF that amount or what per cent of the
money raised by bonds issued will ever
DC used 10 put material on our roads.
l notice the first step was the appoint.
lIeht OF hve commissioners to make
plans. i don't suppose they are work.
ing wlthout salary. 1t will cost a net
sum 10 print and sell the bonds. Ad-
oltional Office force will be needed in
inc road commissioners Office at
Cnarleston. Division engineers Offices
VIII multiply over the State. EneI-
liSerS or surveyors gangs will be trav-
ehng over the State. Plans or draw
lngs Will be considered necessary. I
am informed the plans for the Charles
ioWn 10 Bolivar work cost eight hum
uIeo aoiiars. How many loads of
s'orie would mat have put on the road !?
me maryland road authorities have
oe.iueo 10 let no more contracts at pres.
snt because they do not feel justified or
naye NOT the money to pay $4,000 per
niiie, whlch the contractors ask Penn
SylVahia Quilt about 400 miles of road
tast season, most of it concrete, paving
from $4,000 to 100000 per mile
iney sun nave some small sections
le! OUT from $4,000 to S65,OOO per
lilile' and | notice when a few DAYS
ago contract for 6,253 feet was let
II cost S9S,65S.70. 1t is claimed tina
some contractors even at these prices
Iost money A Berkeley county man
stated few days ago that the fun
miles OF road southwark from Martins.
ourg built at cost of some S9OOO0 \
year or so ago is already full of holes
II oeglns, to look as though the con.
crete road was the only one that will
noid any length of time without con.
stant repairs. But where would omr
9oo,ooo,OOO take us at S6OOOO n,
more per mile? Contractors for West
virginia roads would want goods. biz
margins, as equipment mostly woui5
nave nave 10 be brought from some distance