The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-21

the ODllRdAlOn u DtilSlpllNlS VI INC iiA-
ployes of these former state roads. The
apportionment of this sum is according to
a carefully ascertained schedule. This
assumption of tire state roads by the COM
munes took place by decree, on Jan. l,
1876.
Thus it viii be seen thar matter of
4G 400, 900 marks Cor about $l1,0O000O per
aunum is paid in Prussia alone out of
public funds for the maintenance of
roads, and this sum does not include the
moneys raised and expended by individual
communes-hamlets, villages, cities and
towns-ou the building and maintenance
OF roads, nor does it include that spent by
private companies or individuals In the
same field: nor again the very large
amount expended In labor and material
by both For rural communes especially
the burden Of maintaining and keeping
clean their roads is, In many localities,
heavy one. And these obligations are not
confined, either, to their own communal
roads, for the law compels the rural and
municipal communes 10 render, in many
and frequent cases, prompt unpaid help.
Thus for instance, as to keeping the nigh
est grade of public highway, the so-called
'lSunststrassen" artistic roads,, always
in proper shape the royal commissioners
are empowered to call at any time for the
aid Of adjoining communes On manual la
Dor, tools vehicles, materiaD I'm putting
these roads instantly back into good or.
der whenever snow accumula tons, fresh
cts, long rains, or similar accidents of ma
ture have temporarily rendered traffic on
them difficult and impossible. Special reg
ulations Of other kinds exist any way,
as 10 the traffic upon and maintenance Of
these "kuntsstrassen. For instance, IL
is forbidden to use them for vehicles with
protruding wheel nails, defective wheels,
screws sDokes, or otherwise Objectionable
gear. The horseshoes with which the AMI
mails passing these roads must be shod
must be OF particular kind Vehicles
with loads Of extraordinary heaViness are
only allowed TO pass along them, and over
bridges and viaducts forming parts of
them. under certain restrictions and pre-
vious notification in writing, permission
being granted by the road commissioner,
who then orders precautionary measures.
The obligation of adjacents, to remove
snow in winter or early spring from these
roads was placed by a series of DEGREES
from 1892 TO 1889 on the communes, ana
this holds good throughout the monarchy.
Formerly toll or other dues we're gener-
ally imposed but this is now the case in
q muc more limited degree The toll
tar.ff now existing Is regulated by royal
DEGREES, provincial or district specifications
after a certain rather uniform system,
graded carefully as TO butchers, freight,
farm wagons, pleasure vehicles, etc. and
the exemptions accorded to military,
needy persons. small farmers, manure
wagons etc. are also specially consulted
10 the construction or maintenance of
r0ads-especially within the so-called
"rayon' OF fortresses. forts or frontier
districts-thc military authorities, too, as
sumo part OF the expense and labor; the
whole subject was thoroughly covered by
a royal decree dated sept. a. 1867. In GER
tain cases. too, detachments Of soldiers,
usually Of the pioneer or engineering
CORPS, are ordered OF to mend or con-
struct such or other roads. The old de-
cree Of 1923. Obligating communes to place
gulde-posts frontier stones, etc, where
required for public or state convenience,
sim holds good.
owing TO the fact that Prussia is a
country Of comparatively recent origin, so
far a. lis political entity Is concerned,
there are many differences and variations
In the management Of the road questions
IN different parts OF the monarchy. The
so-called eight old provinces" that Is.
the eight provinces belonging to Prussia
prior 10 1915, have. however, virtually
homogeneous system, and they form three
fourths Of the kingdom, territorially con-
sIdered In Rhenlsh Prussia there Is stll
partially a road system In vogue. being In
many respects derived from and having
many points In common with the French
road system. But the maintenance OF the
public roads there ~. " anything. better
tnan In the rest OF Prussia. since there Is
a greater density Of population. greater
average wealth. and many splendid roads
dating centuries back.
Generally speaking. the width and man.
ner OF construction OF the Prussian high
roads was fixed by a decree OF 1888, and
sim holds good. Thus the average width
Of the real road bed on much Travelled
provincial or main roads Is fixed al a to
90 feet, IN rare cases less than that down
20 IS feet. but only where territorial diff
cutles obtain. Ia some provinces IN Bran
denburg and other eastern ones these
roads are simply macadamzed. owing 20
pecullariles Of soil but In others there
n a stone bed IN the middle OF the road
iG to % feet IN width. This " the case
nearly everywhere where the state was
the builder out OF Sc own means.
A. the maintenance OF the roads IL fixed
by specific laws and regulations. 10. too,
the conditions Of constructing new roads.
Thus, the conditions TO which communes
are subject IN such a case are infinitely
prescribed. One OF the most curious and
significant paragraphs n the first. That
provides that all districts not over ~
German miles (sevon English miles,, 20
right or left OF the line OF the projected
road. must permit the taking OF stone.
gravel, clay. sand earth. turf. and any
other material except wood. and must al
low the temporary use OF their soil fields.
etc, for work necessary IN road building.