The log cabin Democrat., 1921-12-31
MORR|LTON KICKS
 ON HIGHWAY PLAN
TAXES SLAP AT CONWAY
Fine Italian Hand' Accredited with Routing Little Rock Mammoth
 Spring Road from Conway.


 state line at Mammoth Spring, by way of Damascus, Bee Branch and Clinton, instead of from Morrilton to Clinton, has aroused the ire of Mor- rilton.
 The attitude of Morrilton is set forth in column article in this weeks Morrilton Democrat in which it is declared that "the fine Italian hand of Conway is readily discernible back of the movement
 The Democrat bases it's objections and voices it's hope for a reconsider ation of the route on the ground that , change" has been made in the route by the state highway commis sion and that in so doing a gentle mans agreement" has been violated, As matter of fact, the state high way commission has never until few weeks ago attempted to lay out state system of highways and to des- ignate the "primary" roads or roads of first importance in the state. This action was recently taken for the first time in compliance with the provisions of the new federal highway act, which makes the organization of co-ordl- mated system of state highways a condition precedent to participation in the federal aid fund.
 A glance at the map would be sui fcient to convince the most casual observer why the highway as desig- mated should lead from Conway by way of Clinton rather than from Nor rilton by way of Clinton to the north line of the state The range line be- i tween ranges 13 and II, which passes along the east side of Conway, passes about three miles to the east of Clinton, Clinton thus being only three miles west of due north from Conway. Morriton is IS miles west 1 and two miles north of Conway Clinton therefore being about 15 miles EAST of north from Morril- ton. This would mean that in travel ing from the state capital, the hub of the state highway system and the approximate center of the state, to | Clinton by way of Morrilton, one would have to travel 15 miles too far west and then traverse the same dis tance back east to reach Clinton whereas by turning off at Conway, one would travel almost exactly due north to Clinton.
 The Democrat is mistaken in it's assertion that the routing of the prl- mary highway from Conway to Clin- ton would require Van Buren county to organize a new highway district and spend S300000 additional on the project Van Buren county already has a district organized and has in fact spent more than $50 000 in build ing a road from Damascus, the ter minus of the Faulkner county hard surfaced highway to the north, through Bee Branch to Clinton. The rght-of way has been cut out, most of the grading done, the culVerts in stalled and the steel for two large bridges is on the ground. The work has been temporarily tied up in the courts. but it is said that only about $50 O00 additional is needed to com plete this road, and considerable portion of this balance will doubtless be allotted the district from federal and state aid funds.
 Conway county deserves great credit for launching the most ambi- I tious road and bridge building pro- gram of any county of its population in the state. It is possible, however, that like some other counties it has overdone the matter and has pro- iected roads beyond the ability of the 1 county to complete. Construction was begun in Conway county two or three years prior to that in Faulkner 1 county. yet Faulkner has considerably more hard-surflced roads completed 1 than Conway county. Very little has ! been done in the latter county during i the past year aal t is reported that in several districts the funds have been exhausted anl further canstruc- ] ti00 Wil ha difGu.. f nH5 5nnos ih,e. Tn fact the hrrd-sarrac f tha Nor rilton-CHuton road has nravsase sed ou- 1v three or four miles north af Norril- ton and there is every re.sau to be- lieve that the Co0wag aa3 Damascus road will be finished bong before the Morrilton-F Formosa-Ciinton road i- completed.
 In order that Faulkner county cit izens may have an opportunity oi
 hearing Morritons side of the case the Log Cabin Democrat republishe.
 in full below the article of the Nor rilton Democrat:
 About five years ago c. E. Cruce
 founder of the Morriiton Democrat
 and number of other pioneer gooC
 roads men of this section of the state
 conceived the ideq of a Mammoti
 Springs Hot Springs highway ex
 tending from Mammoth Spring, or