The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-06
lNTER-C0UNTy Pike
MEETS OPPOSITION
AT FARM C0NCLAvE

Strong opposition to the Boston
Richmond and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
roads developed at the quarterly meet
ing of the board of directors of the
Wayne County Farmers association,
held in the courthouse Wednesday
afternoon.
This matter was considered in con-
nection with a letter from the Henry
county federation which stated that
they had requested that construction
be postponed for year because build
ing at present prices would increase
taxes from 35 to 40 cents on 500 val
uation and the feeling was that prices
would be lower next year
After the Henry county letter had
been read, discussion opened.
Against Construction.
Archibald Brooks said: 81 am against
anything that would raise the taxes at
the present time. This is time when
we must go slow on expenditures and
at present prices for labor and mate
rial, l say, stop! We don't need the
road now. We can get along without
it for a while. and we may have lower
prices later" Brooks would be a con-
slant user of the proposed road.
liver user. also was opposed to it.
Grafton Stewart, of Hagerstown.
representing Jefferson township, and a
man who would benefit from the road
said: Il am always in favor of improve
ments and especially of good roads.
The automobile is here to stay and it
must be provided for in our road plans
Advises Delay.
But | don't think it would be wise
at present construction prices to try
to build now. l would be in favor at
any other time. My own taxes this
year are just double to penny what
they were last year, and I'm not sure
yet just how | am going to pay them
We can't stand still higher taxes next
year."
During the course of the meeting
the county agent of Henry was asked
to explain the situation in his county.
He said: I'VE were in favor of build
ing this road and another which we
had planned from Rushville to Mum
Gle. But we consulted with the audi
tor to see how heavy it would make
our taxes and when he reported that
it would increase them total of 81 a
hundred for the period of the bond is
sue we decided to hold off for a year.
o 6uliQ IdlcT.
1--WE still hope to build the road but
not this year. We expect to be able
to place contracts at three-fourths
what is being asked now, by next
year At present with prices and la
Dor the way they are the contractor
must protect himself by quoting a
price of third more than next years
cost"
On suggestion of the members Ever
EFT Hunt was appointed to inquire
what the proposed cost per mile of the
road would amount to in increased
taxes. The opinion of the Wayne au-
ditor was that the estimated cost of
$4,000 per mile would necessitate
raising the taxes by one-third for the
next 10 years. A resolution commit
tee was appointed to draft resolu-
ton covering the position of the fed
Grafton in this matter. The president,
Theodore Davis, appointed Andrew
Kerber, Grafton Stewart, Everett Hunt
and J. L. Dolan as the resolution com
mittee.
Adopt Resolution.
After elaboration, the committee
presented the following resolution for
adoption and presentation to the coun-
ty commissioners;
Resolved: That we, the members
of the Wayne County Farmers assoc
iation, considering the extremely high
prices of labor and material at the
present time, are opposed to the con-
struction of concrete or any other
hard-surfaced road in Wayne county
during the present year unless a
change in economic conditions would
warrant the expense.
We further resolve that other coun-
ty expenses abe curtailed if feasible,
because the slump in prices OF farm
commodities will make taxation ex-
tremely burdensome.