Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1925-07-09
Number .
GOOD ROADS DAY HELD
HERE LAST THURSDAY

Even at that we have no quarrel to
pick with those not attending, since
a more inopportune time could hard
ly have been set for it, II the
morning slides were shown n the
opera house by Mr.. Clyde Hooley,
showing the dirt road construction,
and this was followed with a prac-
tical demonstration of grading out
on Poplar ridge for a distance OF
about $50 yards, extending from
the VIM. Niceswanger farm to the
Chas. Wilson place The road was
widened to 16 feet, and ditched,
with six inch crown. One of the
main objects in getting the best type
of dirt roads, is to get more width,
and less crown, and then keep them
properly dragged at all times. This
demonstration was fairly well at
tended, and 80 out of the AZ town
ship trustees were present. From
the interest shown by them, it is
thought that splendid results in
road grading throughout the coun-
ty will follow.
In the evening at the opera house
Mr. Hooley made short talk in
ing we'll pleased with the interest
that was manifested at the grading
demonstration. He is sent out un-
der the direction of the agriculture
extension department of the o. 5. u,
and he has given a number of prac-
ct different
counties, the purpose Of which is to
establish correct practice of read
grading. Before beginning his re-
marks Mr. Hooley took occasion to
speak in words of praise of Chas.
H. Fouts, with whom he served on
the roads committee, for couple of
terms, in the Ohio General assembly.
He emphasized in his talk that roads
| depend very largely on their main
| tenance, and also stated that II we
want more roads we must pay Tor
them. - ~ -
1t had been expected that Mr..
Rudisell of the Good Roads Fedora
tion of the state would be present,
but owing to a death in his family,
he could not be in attendance. In
his place Mr.. H. S. Perry engineer
in the maintenance department, was
present and made an address. In
the beginning of his talk he stated
that he hoped Mr.. Hooley had plant
ed the seed, SO that it would not be
necessary for him to have to come
down yearly and give demonstra-
tions in road grading. He spoke Of
the fact that road money had not
been judiciously spent in the past;
that with the use of what was vast
ed, all the dirt roads of the county
could have been nicely graded up, so
that they would be in shape for
travel nine months of the year.
The speaker stated that he found
out that selfishness is at the root of
lack of road progress. There is lack
of team work between the county
commissioners and the people, and
because of this the tax payers mon
ey is squandered. He pointed out
that we can't look to the general as
sembly to help us out, so long as
this selfshness is apparent Speak
ing of the Green bill he said he
does not see much to expect from it,
since its usefulness was destroyed
when it was made township affair,
when it should have been county
measure, as was its intent when first
introduced in the general assembly.
Had it been made the latter, the
county through it's operation could
have been connected up Mr.. Perry
said that we must take care of the
roads We have-that we have not de-
veloped on account of lack OF fra
ternalism, or cooperation. He stated
that 800 per mile would grade up
cur dirt roads. Through The money
to be derived from the gas tax, much
should be accomplished, although he
stated that it won't build concrete
roads. He urged that the people
see to it that the commissioners
spend it judiciously, and asked that
the people take an interest in their
township trustees and county COM
missioners. One of the troubles he
stated, in the past, is to spend all
the available money for few little
jobs here and there, and have moth
ing left for maintenance. He
brought out the idea that because of
the demand for good roads, we will
have to spend money faster; in or
der to develop our counties, country
roads must be built, and in order to
do so it will be necessary to dig
down into our pockets to pay ad-
ditional taxes. However he made
the point that while more money is
being spent for taxes for roads, in
other ways savings are Effected
that is because of good roads there is
less wear on autos-that it costs
much less to travel over good roads
than poor ones-fewer springs are
broken-less gasoline is consumed
tires last longer, etc. These facts
we know to be true, that while
spending more for taxes for better
roads, we are making saving in
other directions.
During his address Mr.. Perry
stated that before the coming win
ter Morgan county would have an
outlet-and that not over a dirt
road, having in mind the stretch of
road on the New Lexington highway,
which he believes will be completed.
He also said that we will be travel
ing over an improved road to Zanes-
r;J hne