The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-20
THE GOOD ROADS PROBLEM.
Experiments That Have Been Made In
New Jersey and massachusetts.
NTi51o,r5

Midland Monthly
The Western states are fortunate in not
having to conduct costly experiments in the
matter of road improvement, for they
have the benefit of the experience of Mass
achusetts and New Jersey, both of which
states have for several years been con-
Quoting highway Improvement work under
legislative enactment, and now have the
best wagon-road systems in the Union. In
1892 the former state appointed a highway
commission to inquire into the condition
of its roads and report plans for their i'm
provement. This having been done, the
commission was made permanent lnStltu-
ton with power to assume control of such
reads were placed in it's care by petition
of two or more towns situated upon those
routes These then became state highways.
at the discretion of the commission, and
were macadamized and put in good condi-
ton at the expense of the state and coun-
ty in the proportion of three to one. inter-
est-bearing bonds being issued for the pur-
pose. Competent civil engineers were hired
to survey the route for the establishment
of gradients, the construction of bridges.
etc, and laborerS were drawn from the WI
lagos along the roads as much as possible,
the act prohibiting the Importation OF alien
labor. and requiring the award OF contracts
for the work to resident contractors near
the scene of action Thus the local en-
gineerS, contractors and laborerS were edu-
Gated in the matter of building and repair
ing first-class highways; their interest in
local improvements quickened. and they
themselves were made competent TO under
take such work on subordinate roads. The
&C mmission began by laying seVenty-nve
StrlpS OF roadway, FbcH Il Ill4t III lSliS III
in different parts of the state. to serve as
experiments with various paving materials
and different forms of construction and to
act as examples to induce the Inhabitants
to secure the extension of the roads The
Massachusetts law makes provision for the
repayment of the counties over a term OF
wears and the towns are not taxed at all.
The work of the commission under the
legislative act has proved very satlsfac-
tory and the board has been fairly IN
undated with petitions from ali over the
state
New Jersey, which took up the subject
several years before Massachusetts did,
has the most unique laws relating to the
Improvement of her roads and has ac-
complished the greatest practical results.
The legislature abolished the road overseer
system in 1888, and provided that all road
taxes must be paid in cash and IN 1881
authorized the county freeholders on a
majority vote of the voters IN county, 10
assume control of any road in the county.
to levy taxes and borrow money Tor It's
Improvement, assessing the cities or town
ships one-third of the cost and the county
at large the other two-thrds. Later the
state aid law was passed Whlch proVluts
that the county freeholders shall improve
any road not less than a mile long upon
a petition of two-thirds of the owners or
tenth of the cost of the work being as
sessed to the abutting property owners,
one-third to be paid by the state and the
balance by the county. Under this act the
state is allowed to eXpend not more than
$4,000 in any one year for its share OF the
expense and the county NOT etosn ioTe ya IMAM
ton At this rate $225, 900 a year may be
spent for road Improvement in the state
and as the cost of construction OF f1rst-
class crushed-stone highway has been re-
duced to $4,000 mile, New Jersey may
have seventy-five miles of brand new roads
every year. 80
Either of these plans, or a unification, Of
the best points of both might prontaoly
be adopted by our Middle Western states,
with such additions and special provisions
as the peculiar conditions of the mississippi
valley might require.
The work of road improvements Which
Is such an important matter. should be ap-
preached in large way, with view to
future requirements and the permanent
betterment of our highway system. Reli-
able and competent engineers and road
masters should be employed, in order that
there may be no needless waste in expert
nents and faulty construction; and the
most economical methods should be adopt
ed since the first cost of the work must
of necessity be heavy. although the I'M
in the end.