The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-14
\ LETTER on ROADS.

Seattle. Oct II. 1855.
To the Editor: Good roads. according 20
leading engineering periodicals, uewspa-
pers etc the country over. are being dis
cussed. There Is not state which ought TO
discuss them more than the state Of Wash
ington The difficulty thus far evidenced,
In the want of larger experience. not only
in proper country road construction. say
nothing Of maintenance. but even IN the
proper locations. The pioneer settler does
not seem 20 care except that the county
shall clear a way bordering on his land.
and thus insists that the government lines
are the best location for roads. Thus far
very few settlers have had the Use Of
horses or teams. The cleared section line
r. a great Improvement upon his own IRE
rular trails. However, as the country is
developing. the necessity OF good country
roads becomes moro and more apparent.
And the establishment OF merely cleared
section lines cannot meet the requirements
or a practical highway for the accommoda-
ton 81 the needs OF the country. The
more this subject g intellgentiy studied
and practically investigated. the more Ger
tain facts become seif-evident, which
should have weight with those - whom
the matter 90 location and construction is
delegated. There should be- several grades
90 county roads-nrst, the principal ones-
radatine ont from the PRINCIPAL cities.
leading as directly as po.ible from one 20
centers in their course These roads be-
ing the main highways, should have q
clear driving surface of not less than
twenty-slN feet. allow ng the free passing
of two vehicles With room enough Tor tho
third "a proceed unhamrcrcd such would
constitute the state and county roads The
second-class roads are such as radiate
either from the country ceuters or defined
short cuts between two main highways.
These should 30 wide enough tn permit
the safe passing of Two teams. say sixteen
or eighteen feet wide.
The last and Third grade OF country
roads, moro frequently only a private
farm road. should nevertheless have CON
sderation. and should not b. less than
ter feet. with frequent places - turn out.
"a wide as the seCend-class road.
What considerations should determi inc
the location aside from those ~ direction
or destination Il is that ia tho mainteu-
auce Of IT'S destination the location
should seek first the easiest grades prefer
ably going around the hm than over il.
and secondly, fANor}uE that location which
contains the best natural foundation ma
ieriaiS- Among several sites thcre MAY
also he found q cho}ce. where ore presents
n predoninatirg Spr.aev or wet ground.
while others VIII be firm and durable
u fs siSo sometimes found that q }eva-
ton IN every way fnlHllinw tS@ conditions
already set forth does not permit ready
vented y - also fact that even a
short read IN this counttS vii eueour-
ter "a number Of the conditions uamvd
wak-1 must Dc met hv Intelligent treat
ment The first Important factor thon ts
70 follow fhc u}osf direct course between
tire I've communicating ceuaers uuoa the
easiest attatnable Cvade. without refremee
70 government Haes. giving preference 70
solid and 3rv situations
The next important So'Ht .ou rs tHs mat
ter ~ consfrue don which first involves
tho foundations, whlea Saau13 Pc - Tire
most solid materials available. WAfch tu
Washington are not }ackiug either fn stare
or hsnk gravel. working thA coaree<t tnto
the bottom - f1fe rcads~t valles FIRMLY
thc top dressing ~ consist ~ tAe nrueer
gravel The greater part ot ccuntry r7a3x
permit more ecenorttrsR canSt rs4etfee
which involves the more Important matter
az 5ui.csous maintenance. TIE pronsr
maintenance - even a road through clav
land. witch demands 81 (5s saaEra1aut
a Hanle si3e drainage. rot necessarily =