Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-21
What the Inquiry Bureau ofthe Ag-
ricultural Department is Doing.
INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
General Interest on the Subject
Manifested on All Sides.
COOPERATION PROMISED.

cultural Department is meeting with signal
success in its undertaking of gathering and
disseminating information upon the subject
of making and preserving good roads in the
United States. This bureau was organized
last October by the appointment of Gen.
Roy Stone, vice president of the National
League for Good Roads, to be special agent
of the department in charge of the matter.
The objects of the bureau are included in
four branches as follows:
To make inquiries in regard to the sys-
TENS of road management throughout the
United States.
To make investigations in regard to the
best methods of road making.
To prepare didactic publications on this
subject suitable for distribution.
To assist agricultural colleges and expert
ment stations in disseminating information
upon this subject.
1t is expressly stated that 1t is not the
province of the Department of Agriculture
to seek to control or influence action by
states or localities in the construction of
their highways except in so far as advice
or wise suggestions shall contribute toward
them. The department is to furnish infor-
nation, not to direct and formulate any
system of organization.
In pursuance of this general plan the bu-
reau has sent out a number of circulars to
various classes throughout the country
seeking tie desired information. The fol-
lowing circular was sent to persons whom
1t was thought or known were interested in
good roads.
Laws on Roads and Highways.
A circular was sent to the governors of
states setting forth that
THE scope of this inquiry corresponds
closely with that of the one successfully
made by the State Department, through its
consular representatives, into the road laws
and methods of road construction in foreign
countries. The success and value of
home inquiry will depend much upon the
aid given it by the various state and local
officials who have been concerned in road
| Improvement. 1 have the honor, therefore,
| TO request your cooperation in this i'm
| portant work, to the extent at least of
! furnishing the names of all such officials,
| and of any individuals who may in your
! judgment be able to give valuable infor-
nation or suggestions pertaining to the
| subject.
| Information Wanted.
The Department of Agriculture being
charged by Congress with an inquiry into
| the systems of road management and the
best methods of road construction through
out the United States, desires information
upon the following points:
j. The practical working of the recent
road laws of the various states wherever
/ the same have been tested; the difficulties
found in their application, and suggestions
| for their amendment.
| 9. The character and cost of the roads
built under these laws. the materials used,
and the present condition and prospective
durability of such roads.
| ). The location and character of any SUI
perior stone for roads which is accessible
by railway or water, the cost of quarry
ing, preparing, and loading the same, the
mileage rates of transportation, and any in
stances of reduced free transportation
given by railways for the encouragement
| of road building.
| 4. The same information so far as appli-
4 cable, regarding materials naturally pre-
pared, such as the PaduC ah and Tishomingo
gravelS, the Hamilton sands tones, and the
| Chickamauga fiints.
8. The results of any experiments in the
construction of narrow and cheap hard
roads, or of roads having one track of earth
and one of stone or gravel with full par
ticulars as to cost and method of construc-
| ton.
6. The result Of any practical experience
in the use of burnt clay for roads.
| Z. The cost and benefits of tile drainage
of roads as shown by practice
! 8. The best method of constructing a COM
mon highway without gravel or stone, and
with or without under drainage.
| .. Definite facts as to the enhancement of
property values through road improve
ment.
TO- The results of any experiments in the
employment of convict labor on roads or
| the preparation of road materials.
IL. The details of all bond issues for road
improvement and how, where, and at what
cost the same were marketed.
| Il. The rates allowed in each state for
men and teams in working out read taxes,
and the actual value of such work as COM
pared with labor paid for in cash.
| L take leave also to ask for copies of all
recent laws or compilations of laws bearing
upon roads and highways.
| Another was sent to state biologists, ask
ing information upon the subject of rocks
and road materials their location and meth
DDS of transportation to points where needed
Congressional Aid Asked.
Another was sent to members of Congress,
as follows:
| In pushing the inquiry into systems of
road nagement and methods of road
making authorized by the Fifty-second
Congress, the Department of Agriculture de-
sires to communicate on the subject with
the best informed authorities and private in
dividuals throughout the United States, and,
| to expedite the matter, | have the honor TO
| request your aid in procuring the names of
| all counties or townships In your district
| which have made a systematic attempt at
modern road Improvement, and also tie
names and addresses of the officials ard of
some of the individuals most actively con-
! cerned in such Improvement. whether iH
respect to Legislation or road construction"
The Assistance of Railroad Compa MES
AS railroad companies are vitality inter
ested in good country roads, the following
was sent to presidents of railroads:
1.-The Department of Agriculture has been
| authorized by Congress to make inquiry
into the systems of road management
throughout the United States. and the best
methods of road-making. and to collect and
distribute information regarding the same
"The interest uniformly shown by rail-
way managers in the improvement of high
| ways warrants the department, which has
been charged with this inquiry, in asking
their assistance. The undersigned, there
fore respectfully requests: % Such infor-
nation as can doubtless be gained through
your engineering department regarding the
| supply of good road materials along or
near your lines-their location, character,
| accessibility, and the cost of preparation
| and loading cars; CO your schedule
| rates for transportation of the same; CD
| a statement of any reduced rates or free
| TRANSPORTATION that may have been granted
| or offered in special cases to encourage
| road-building; "a any information, recon-
| mendatious, or suggestions from yourself
| or any of your staff that may promote the
| success of this inquiry or the general in
| terest of road improvements
| The results of these efforts are now be-
coming apparent. Letters have been re-