Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1922-08-17
INTEREST IN ROAD AMEND
MENT.

htical aspirations OF any SaiiuAuaNe ~
anv office in Mississippi, is the in
terest in public highways. 1t IS not
unlikely from present indications that
the fullest vote will be poled at the
congressional election in November,
known in the state, since Mississippi
has had only one party.
Tt is stated that the men AID wo-
men of Mississippi are so thorough-
" determined to ratify the constltn-
tional amendment taking trunk nlgn,,
WAYS out of the hands of the BOARD
of supervisors and putting them under
the state highway COMMISSION, III
order that Mississippi SHALL not lose
the millions of dollars appropriated
bv the federal government for con-
structine and maintaing roads, that
+hev intend to go to the polls by the
hundreds and thousands and vote tor
the amendment.
On this very important subject, the
state highway department, winch IS
a beehive of activity and industry,
has given out the following state
ment: -.
Construction work on the Mis-
sissippi links of the three great ma
tional highways which traverses
this state, is progressing rapidly, 1t
has been announced BY the state
highway department. These nigh
wavs. the Mississippi valley high
way, the Jackson highway and the
Old Spanish trail, connect Mlssls-
sippi bv direct route with the en-
tire Mississippi valley and the MD
die Western states, and the south
ern section of the United States,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific
coast. These highways are OF tie
utmost Importance to the prosperity
of the state, since they proVloe
arteries through which traffic can
flow in and out of the state to all
sections of the country.
"If one link of one of these great
highways is allowed y be worn
down bv traffic and the elements,
until it is passable only the best
weather, it will defeat the entlr"
object of the highway, for chain
is no stronger than its weakest INK.
Yet there is danger that this may be.
come the condition of the MISSISSIPPI
links. Unless the proposed consul
tutional amendment, giving the state
control over a state highway system,
is adopted by the people at the NO
venober elections, these highways
will not be maintained in the condl-
ZION of construction, with improve
roent shown from year to year.
"TJnder the present constitution,
the boards of supervisors have 1all
jurisdiction over roads, ferries and
bridges in their respective counties.
The amendment would change TINS
slightly, giving the state control over
a state highway system which would
not exceed seven per cent OF the
total highway mileage, and relieving
+he counties of the burden of mann
tanning the main trunk highways.
Under the present haphazard system
of maintenance, the counties are re-
snonsible for the condition OF the
roads within their respective limits,
and the through highways are not con-
sidered as a whole, but III small
sections, in some places only a Jew
miles. Oftentime difficulties, imam
cial and otherwise, cause these roads
to be neglected for a period OF time
sufficiently long to allow the roads
TO wear down to such degree, that
the expense of repairs would pfac-
tically construct new road.
.Under the amended law, THESE
highways would be part OF a state
highway system, connecting every
county seat and center OF popuia-
tion in the state, and this system
would be maintained in the best
condition possible during the entlre
wear. In this way, the most mn
portant trunk highways in the state
would receive the attention of tram
ed and experienced engineers, VINO
would be in position to watch the
roads closely, and to act Immediately
in case of need of repairs. This would
relieve the counties of the expense
of maintaining these trunk highways,
and allow them to devote their atten-
tion to roads of lesser Importance,
which are at present neglected.
1T is proposed to place the ex-
pense of maintaining these trunk
highways upon the automobile owli-
ers, since they are the ones WHO
will be benefited. This does not
mean only Mississippi automobile
owners, but the thousands of tourists
who pass over the highways annual
~, will pay large part in. the form
Of gasoline and automobile tax. This
tax will be more than repaid, how
ever, by the money saved from tires,
gasoline and general wear and tear
on the car
sThis system is at present under
construction, and its completion de-
ponds upon The continuation Of federal
aid allotments, by means Of which a
large part of it is being constructed.
Unless this amendment is adopted,
these allotments will cease, since the
federal highway act of 1921 requires
that within three rears after The pas
sage Of this act, all Of the states shall
give the highway departments control