The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-07-10
RETIRING COMMISSIONERS, YOUNG AND EVANS
LEAVE RECORDS OF SPLENDID ACCOMPL ISHAIENIS

When George l.. Evans retired as
county commissioner from the second
district of Carter county last week,
he left behind a reputation az a wide
awake public official that is most en-
viable, and one that has firmly es-
tablished him in the affections OF
every taxpayer, not only in his own
district but in every section of the
county
Mr.. Evans has served the people
of this county for two terms, and
during that period he transformed
the roads in the second district from
almost impossible trails to the best
highways in the county, and made
the remote northwestern section ac-
cessible under any and all weather
conditions.
When Mr.. Evans took charge of
his first term, the roads in that rec
ton of the county were in a bad way.
In many places they were impossible.
Mr.. Evans Immediately notified the
people of that district that they were
going to have good roads, and warned
all who were subject to road duties
by law, while he began to make ar
rangements to see what could be done
by the county at large.
Mr.. Evans had a hard time getting
the proper start. He had many diff
culties to surmount, but he persisted,
building a mile or two Of highway
whenever possible, and after once
built, saw TO it that it was kept in
repair. This work continued and
soon people in that section realized
they were at last going to have
passable highways.
At the conclusion of his first term
Mr.. Evans retired to his farm near
Newport, having been defeated by
Ben Stephens Of this city. He con
tinued to take a keen interest in
all road matters and kept his fingers
close to the public pulse. AS time
for the next election drew near he
announced himself as a candidate for
the office. He was elected over his
opponents by a handsome plurality
and took up his duties of road build
ing where he lett off two years pre-
viously.
For the past two years Mr.. Evans
has been a busy county official He
has extended the road system in that
district until today it is proclaimed
that that section is traversed by as
good roads as can be found anywhere
in the state.
A peculiar feature of all his labor:
in this section OF the county is thai
he has never had a bond issue TO aio
him, not even a township bond issue
He was entitled to his pro rata o
the gross production tax on oil FOL
his district, but waived that right anC
allowed his share to be used on th'
highway between Ardmore and th'
oil fields. stating that he felt tina
Ardmore was headquarters for the oi
industry of Carter county and that /
was absolutely necessary that goot
highway be maintained between th'
city and the sources Of production
All this tended to reduce his re
sources, and he knew that It wai
going to take some speedy financing
to counteract the effect Of his deci
sion to waive his right to any of thu
gross production tax money, but h
had faith that it could be accom-
plished somehow, and began planning
more highways The only thing h
had left was the ad valorem Ia,
with which to build roads, but witt
this. and the labor that is due from
every taxpayer in the county for roa'