The record-union., 1893-11-22
GOOD COUNTRY ROADS.
The Executive Committee Again Con-
siders the Subject.
Gravel or Basa1t Rock ?-The Railroad
Company to be interviewed as
TO Transporting Material.

y
of the seventeen members present and
the Yice-President presiding.
The minutes were read and approved
and then most interesting and educat-
ing discussion opened up on the reports
of two committees.
Mr.. Weinstock, from the Committee
on Specifications, reported preliminary
specifications as follows: That the pro-
posed new trunk permanent roads to be
constructed at general cost should be SIX
teen feet in width in the track; that they
should be graded and thoroughly rolled
to produce a firm surface; that thereon
should be placed broken stone SUBJ
structure with provision for suitable
drainage; that such broken stone should
be rolled to firm, hard surface; that the
roof of the road should be composed of
finer material, also rolled well and to
smooth surface; that there should be pro-
Yided at convenient stations plants for
lifting and supplying water for the water
ing of the roads after construction. But
this sprinkling is not out OF the general
fund proposed, only the provision for the
plant.
This report was the result of consulta-
ton with road engineers IN San Fran
cisco. 1t was not more than preliminary,
rs detailed reports can only be made
after road engineers have gone over the
routes proposed, and that involved cost
to be made after the people have adopted
sthe plan of main permanent roads. The
committee reported that the roads ought
to be built by contract let to the lowest
responsible bidder and under supervision
of competent road engineer.
After some discussion the report was
adopted. Mr.. Mcconnell, from the Com
mittee on Material, reported that confer
ence had been had with the State Prison
Directors. That body was found most
kindly disposed, and saw in the PROPOSE
ton to furnish stone a possible industry
for employment of the prisoners on the
prison ground in opening and working
splendid basalt stone quarry discovered
to be on the State grounds.
Mr.. Mcconnell said that there is
mountain of basalt rock there Of the very
best quality for road building. That the
cheap water power at Folsom would en-
able the rock to be crushed at low cost,
and of any size required, and shot from
the quarry upon the cars. lie believed
that this revelation completely solved the
road building question. While the di-
rectors could not be said to be fully COM
mitted to the scheme, they had referred
the matter to the Warden, with inStruc-
"
could be got out for and crushed at the
quarry.
The committee believed that it would
be found that this could be done
at such a figure that it would
knock off $1,000 a mile on the
usual estimated cost for construction of
macadam roadways. If SO, it meant great
things for this county and this whole Sec
tion, and the large employment Of labor,
which without this stone could not be en-
gagged upon road construction such as the
committee desires, and that scientific,
permanent, economic road building de-
InandS.
He urged that committee be named
to consult with the railroad company on
the cost of delivering this new material
along the line of its roads. He felt sure
that the company, II properly shown the
importance to commerce and all busi-
ness OF these proposed improvements,
would aid the scheme all in its power.
He felt confident that Mr.. Huntington,
whom he characterized as a broad
minded, just and thorough business man,
would be very glad to have the matter
under consideration. He had no fear of
the railroad men. They would see at
once the high value to the country and to
their business, of conserving the PROPOSE
tion the opening Of the quarry meant.
The question was then taken up of the
action at the last meeting proposing seven
short trunk lines for permanent roads,
Mir. Mcconnell regretted that action.
Seven roads were too many for the money
to be used upon. The Upper Stockton
road had not been given enough. 1t is a
State road of first importance. Better let
the Lower Stockton and river road go at
first than scatter the fund over so much
territory that we will have no one salts
fed. Better three trunk roads as a
starter, leading long way out, than
seven little ones concentrating at Sacra-
mento. The three roads would accom-
modate all the people more or less. and
lead up to the building OF others very
soon after.
Mr.. Butler said the Jackson road was
as important as the Upper Stockton.
Mr.. Mcconnell conceded it. That road
ought to be taken into the list. But we
can't take ALL it is out of the question.
He thought that gravel in some quar-
ters might be used, but the committee
had decided on stone roads, at least at
the base, and these ought to be long
enough to mean something.
Mr.. Lawton had made study of road
building. All the authorities agreed in
placing gravel lowest on the list of ma
terial fit for use.
Mr.. Mcconnell said he could show some
gravel that would pack and make good
road roof.
Mr.. Lawton insisted that gravel will
not make road roof. 1t will cut out in
the wet season.
Mr.. Weinstock moved that a committee
be named to ask the Supervisors to sub
NIT the road question to the vote of the
people.
1t carried, and Messrs. Weinstock.
Johnston and Butler were named as the
committee.
The important question of routes was
again taken up, and the livellest of de-
bates ensued.
Mr.. Mcconnell warmly contended for
three lines only, saying that if we are to
recommend simply to catch votes, then
we should not stop at seven roads. Dut
name twelve lines. To build seven short
stretches will cripple the whole PROPOSE
ton, and do neither city nor county much
good.
Mr.. Gladney wanted given number of
routes named, and the sum to be voted
equally divided. His people wanted the
new road to run to every door, from the
way they talked to him, he said.
Mr.. Butler agreed that too many routes
had been laid down, but he feared the
people OF the country would not under
stand the reason for any change now.
Mr.. Beckley Insisted that for twenty
miles on the lower Stockton road there
is as heavy travel as on any road in the
county.
Mr.. Mcconnell conceded this, but said
that was local travel, not through and
general travel, as on the Upper stockton
road, which had been put off with S4l 900.
Mr.. kelthley said since the last meet
ing he had talked with scores of people.
Every man wanted the permanent road
In the district to come by his door. 1t
was no use; the only way is to lay out and
advise so many lines, and divide the sum
OF money equally and ask the Supervis-
ors TO approve the plan.
Io(so
the many route resolutions adopted at the
last meeting. He declared the rirht WOW