The record-union., 1896-11-22
Recommendations Made by the Highway
Commissioners.
Results of Their Investigations ano
Inspection of Roads in the
Several Counties.

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throughout the State for 1894 and 1890
was 81, ,7S9, ,259 GA, and for the period
from 1885 to 1895 inclusive, the amount
was ST. 7,919,324 20.
The natural conditions, climatic geo
logical and topographical are all favor
able to the construction OF roaus,
though at the present time tnere are
scarcely any permanently constructed
highways in the State. The reason lor
this seems plain, for the work has been
carried on without method OF syslei'i'
and money set aside for the purpose
has been wastefully and lnJuoiciousiy
expended.
The remedy for this state OF af1alrs,
the report relates, is the INTRODUCTION
of a definite system OF highway con-
struction throughout the State.
The chief points and suggestions con-
tanned in the report are classif1ed as
follows:
Classification of Roads-Division OF
roads into three distinct classes: State
highways, county thoroughfares and
district roads. State highways con-
structed and maintained by the State,
main arteries of a road system, from
which should branch out minor high
ways County thoroughfares most i'm
portant roads in each county, under di-
rection of Board of Supervisors. Dis
trict roads to serve needs of particular
localities.
Decadence of Road Construction
Road building was neglected during the
period of great railroad construction.
Utility of and Demand for Good
Roads-They are necessary to the fur
ther industrial development Of our
State and will promote prosperity.
Duties of the Bureau of Highways
The study of the laws of this and other
States: of physical features of the State
and their relation to system Of roads;
of the economic and legal status of
highway conditions in each county.
Trips of Inspection-Travels by the
commissioners over the roads and into
every county of the State.
Difficulty of Securing Accurate Data
Owing to lack of system of general
book and record keeping in the various
counties of the State.
Rock Crushing Plant-There have
been cash orders for nearly 10000 tons
of rock received in the few months the
plant has been in operation.
Revision Of Road Laws-There should
be harmonizing of conflicting sec
tions; changes and prescription of pen
alties for noncompliance with statu-
tory regulations.
Road Laws Of Other States-Extracts
are made from the road laws of Mass
achusetts, New Jersey Rhode Island
and Connecticut, where State highway
construction is in vogue.
Extent of Highway Expenditures in
California-The figures given do not
include numerous payments for bridges
out of funds other than those set apart
for highway purposes. nor subscriptions
of cash labor and material by private
individuals.
Reforms Recommended-The reduc
ton of the limit of taxation for high
way purposes in each county, now fixed
by law at 40 cents per 500 of assessed
valuation of outside property, from 40
cents to 30 cents. State levy of one
quarter Of a mill per 81 of total as
sessed valuation for the State highway
fund The bureau is of the opinion
that better results can be accomplished
through system and economy with this
lesser expenditure than is now accom-
plished with the greater tax levy.
There should be State highways TO
traverse the great belts Of wealth, min
eral agricultural, timber, fruit. etc.
There is a commercial necessity for
State highways because of the inability
of counties traversed by important
roads to construct and maintain them.
on account of lack of funds and lack of
direct benefit.
The Proposed State Highways and the
T,;,a iyla OK fata icyIay
First: They should be laid out along
those lines which the physical features
of the State forever fix as the easiest
lines Of communication. Second: Ira
Verse the great belts of natural wealth
of the State. Third: Connect all the
large centers of population within the
limits Of our State. Fourth: Reach
the county seat of every county and tap
the lines OF county roads so as to fully
utilize them.
Construction and Maintenance Of
State Highwaye-There should be about
4. 800 miles Of road. varying In cost from
$500 TO 81 800 per mile
County Thoroughfares - The main
roads of each county to serve the gen
eral interests Of the county, constructed
under the direction of the Supervisors,
and to serve as feeders to the State
highways.
District Roads-Constructed by people
of particular localities to serve their i'm
mediate necessities. The people to or
ganize themselves into road districts.
after the manner Of the organization cf
school districts. and TO construct such
roads as they desire
Wide Tires-Three inches should be
the minimum width of tires for the or
dinarv farm and road wagon; four
inches for wagons intended for loads be-
tween four and six tons; five inches for
loads more than six and less than eight
tens: six inches for wagons more than
eight tons. The law not TO go into effect
Immediately. After January i, 1899,
there should be fine for having wagons
on sale not In conformity with the wide
tire law. After January l, 1900, the use
Of wagons not conformable with law 10
be subject TO license.
Road Structures substitution Of
bridges and culverts made OF stone, con-
crete or brick for wooden bridges.
Where wooden, steel or combination
bridges are necessary. the floors should
be protected by pavement OF asphatum
or bituminous rock. Wooden bridges
should be rooted over. the iron and steel
parts to be kept free of rust and
painted regularly.
Duties OF County Surveyors-The
Surveyor should be the highway ad-
wiser OF the Supervisors. and be placed
under a definite salary; he should ad-
wise the Supervisors on all matters of