The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-17
Highway improvements.

MT Joseph Is. P0Well, OF SprlngDoro, "a, re-
Gently delivered an address before a Harvest
Home Association upon the subject of THE
Kings Highway" which contained many valu-
able suggestions, and showed that the matter
was one to which the sneaker had given much
thought. He recommended. among other things
that in the laying out of roads system should
be employed similar to that employed in some
cties-Philsdelpnia for instance In such cities
the stranger has only to note the number of the
street to know his bearings, and it is urged with
reason that traveller in a country region might
be equally glad of such a guide to his course.
When numbers are given for streets running
one way ana names the other. the traveller VIII
never be at a loss to know the general course OF
highway, no matter how much 1t may Wlna
about.
Where there are not straight base lines in
county, then similar system to that of Wash
ington or Salt Lake City might be adopt
ed, and the base line start at right
angles from the county seat. The county he
recommends as unit in the naming system
not the township nor the State. The names and
numbers should be given by a commission ap-
pointed by the court; the same duly advertised;
chances given to oppose, and be finally amended
or confirmed, as may be determined. These
should be entered OF record and become legal
and permanent names and numbers, except as
modified by the court Once done, they would
be good for all time.
Index or guide boards the speaker would have
cheap, durable and easily understood. He would
have only one at each cross-road or junction of
roads. That should be located by the law on
given corner; that impracticable then on another,
or still another might be desirable, so that IT
could be found in the darkness. He suggest that
posts should be made of two-inch galvanized gas
pipe with cast-iron bottom, so they can be
driven, and a galvanized castiron arrow
at the top, pointing to the north,
so that the bearings of tho compass can always
be found at night or day. tray made of zine,
about nine by eighteen inches, and not much IN
like pie-dish. should be clipped at its back to
each post. Into the front of this should be put
tied at the top and ends glass. From the bot
tom should be inserted card board of the prop
er size to fill the space, on which should be
printed the information desired; and this should
be locked there by keys held by the supervisors.
At the top of the card board should be number
designating the hundreds at which that street
commences, 1000, slgnifying twenty blocks
from the base line, followed by hand showing
that the mum bers increase in that drection be-
low this should come the name or number of the
street. All of the above should be In type
from one to one and half inch in height,
in black letters Below a line, in
quite small letters directions where a
street may be continued provided it does not
complete junction at that point Below, in
another line, may come full direction of the
distances to the principal towns and which are
the main roads, or which of two more different
roads may be chosen; still below this, in smaller
type, may come a complete directory of the
names and numbers of all the citizens living on
each side of the roads, out to the next index
board.
He recommended that farmers should put their
names and numbers tablets ON the gate posts,
or shade trees so that the traveller will know
whose residence he is passing as readily as in the
city.
The speaker also recommended that sign
showing the maximum weight that a bridge
would carry should be put ND and he who carried
upon it heavier weight should do so at his peril
The tax should be collected in money. The
work should be done by the lowest bidder or IN
der the control of the supervisors. Water makes
the chief difference between the good summer
road and the poor winter road The speaker
thought that in this locality dirt roads might be
classified follows Four months of good
roads for wheels; four for sleighinG frozen dirt
of almost impossible muddy roads. He recon-
mended that a patrolman with horse and wagon
properly equipped should be placed upon the
road in each quarter of the township early in the
fall to patrol the same whenever wet, until they
are we'll settled in the spring, and particularly
during heavy storms. This patrolman would
make daily report q blank furnished for
that purpose.
He believes that 10 per cent Of the tax, by
taking thEt notable stitch in time, will effect
more than 80 per cent. in repairing damages
after it il effected.
Mr.. Powell closed with, 'tLfe is made up of
endless detail, whether it be in training our
minds equipping army. constructing q su-
perb highway. No one thing more clearly indi-
Gates the degree of prosperity and enlighten-
ment of people than the condition of their
highways. By the construction of good high
ways can travel be made more attractive, life
sweeter, and home more beautiful"