Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1930-02-28

The Cost of Dirt Roads
In Sussex County

send, county comptroller, to the
Levy Court of Sussex County, as
was published in the Sussex Record,
a paper published at Georgetown, in
its issuesOf February 20, and GER
tainly speaks for itself, in the fol-
lowing language:
The expenditure on the high
ways are staggering as compared to
those ten years ago when wartime
prices prevailed, and when 1t is TAX
en- into consideration that more than
800 miles of concrete roadways
have been laid since that time. The
expense of the engineer for the ifs
cal year 1918-1919 amounted to
$172.24 as compared with $1,06O.S9.
Repairs to machinery ten years ago,
during war times, amounted to ST.
466.53 as compared with S10,S24.S2
during the past fiscal year. The ex-
ira cost may be attributed to the
fact that small tractors or road pa
trolls are used largely at present;
but the repairs are out of all pro-
portion to the work accomplished.
Ten years ago, with labor higher
and bridge lumber as much as $50
per thousand feet, it only cost $780,
650.96 when the present roads now
laid with concrete were included, to
maintain the entire system. The
general road work last year amount
ed to $108,513.21, with 300 miles Of
the main arteries paved and taken
over. In 1920-1921 the cost of main
tanning the bridges, except draw
bridges, and all of the rural dirt
roads amounted to $135, 487.5S, which
included all of the main highways
now under control of the State
Highway Department. Special road
work, including gravel with thin
coating of tar, last year amounted to
$116,097.21.
This report should be studied by
every taxpayer in Sussex county,
and see if they are willing that the
cost of the upkeep of the dirt roads
should go on until the county be-
comes bankrupt. We have no quar-
rel with the members of the Levy
Court. They are upright men, as far
as we know, but we do take excep-
ton to the system under which they
are working to improve the dirt
roads. A system which allows SUCH
stupendous expenditures to the road
overseers and others don't bid fair
10 ever bring to the taxpayers OF
Sussex county that economy on the
part Of their servants which they
are entitled to.
There is one way to remedy this
matter, and that is to put the dirt
roads of the State under the juris-
diction Of the State Highway De-
partment where we believe, they
can be kept in better condition for
half the money they are now cost
ing. Let the farmers and others get
busy and see to it that proper leg
islation is secured that will place
the dirt roads under the care of the
State Highway Department at the
earliest opportunity.
Farmers Busy
Our farmers are very busy at the
present time. Some are having their
land prepared for the strawberry
plants which if set in the month of
March seem to stand better. The &C
reage will be large this year. Others
are having their land plowed for
peas, beans, etc.
The up-to-date farmer is always
ready to take advantage of the
warm weather we have some times
during the winter months to sid him
in getting out Of the way some work
which would hinder him, if let alone
until spring. Tomato ground ploWed
early and kept cultivated until the
plants are set will always yield bet
ter CROPS. The watermelon and can |
taloupe patches should have been
made long ago, but it is not too late
now to get the manure in the hills, |
to aid in growing better crops than
to wait until later in the season. !
The lima bean crop is a paying one.
Now is the time to cut your poles
and have them ready on the ground
when the time arrives to plant your
beans. Plow your ground early for
all kinds of truck. Keep it thorough
ly worked until planting time so as
to destroy worms and other insects
which will destroy your crops later.
Policeman, Where Art ThOU2
Glendale needs police protection.
little town did not feel that an Off
GER was needed to keep the citizens
of our village in an orderly manner.
They respected the law and obeyed
it, and it was rare thing that any
Of the inhabitants was guilty of any
Of those things which are forbidden
by law. This was considered a mo-
del town.
A new element has sprung up.
Men and boys who have been allow
ed to run wild, over which their
parents have no control whatever,
have started on a crusade Of de-
struction and are bent that they will
not stop until the law intervenes to I
stop them. Stores have been enter
ed, bicycles purloined, and bulbs 9
and tires stolen from automobiles '
while standing on the highway. {
Boys of tender years are engaged in {
his lawlessness as well as boys of
more mature years. Something will e
lave to be done to save the youth O
If our town and vicinity from pur-
suing course which leads to a life o
If sin and shame, but to a life CT T.
Misery which befalls those who have \
allen low in the scale of human de- 1
sradation.
Greeting Store House Ii
John w. Beebe is erecting a store a
louse and filling station on land re- "
emily bought of the Fisher heirs. v
n the near future he will open up U
irst class grocery store and sta
ion for the dispensing Of oil and u
,asoline. We are glad to welcome G
Ir. Beebe to the ranks Of our up-to- L
ate merchants. "
III, For An Aladdin Lamp te