The record-union., 1899-01-13

plished by law alone; 1t is inperatively
necessary that there should be integ-
rity. intelligence and energy on the
part of the officials; and when these
requirements are found in a County
Surveyor and in members Of the
Boards of Supervisors, political faiths
should not be considered.
| The existing roads should be MAIN
| tanned through system and economy,
with a sum not to exceed 70 per cent
Of the present rate of expenditure. It
is the opinion of the Bureau that even
a less sum would be SUFFICIENT. But
granting the large sum as necessary
would still leave Is per cent Of the sum
expended during the last decade, or
$4,000, 900, available for the systematic
construction Of permanent roads.
WHAT rs ADVISED.
This department therefore presents
amendments to existing laws which
prescribe that 80 per cent of the
moneys now levied for road purposes
under Section 2643 be set aside to be
spent in permanent road work as above
outlined. The remainder to be expend-
ed in the maintenance Of existing
roads. 1t will be observed regarding
this amendment:
First-That the expenditure of
county road funds is in no way remov-
ed from county officials, but that half
of these funds must be spent in per-
manent work.
Second-That an incentive to econ
omy is made by the reduction of the
fund which is available for patch
work.
| Third-That every year during which
this system is put in force it reduces
the number of temporary structures
requiring patchwork by replacing them
with permanent masonry. These tenn
porary structures, wooden drains, Gull
verts and bridges being the source Of
maximum expenditure for patchwork
and repairs; fourth, during the last
four years this system has been put
into force in many counties and they
are actually following it 10 limited
and varying extents in Yolo, Alameda,
Napa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Los
Angeles and other counties. In Yolo,
| for instance, the County Surveyor has
built six bridges CT permanent nature.
| The excellent example set by Napa
| County in stone and concrete bridges
has been followed by other counties
In Los Angeles, one of the main roads
through the county has been recon-
structed under the supervision of the
County Surveyor. and not a piece of
timber was used. We, therefore, feel
ed economy.
LACK OF SYSTEM.
| Lack Of system is dwelt upon at
| length as one of the greatest draw
backs with which we have to contend.
Many evils are the results of neglect
continued from year to year until the
proper methods of road work have
been actually forgotten and ignored.
Thus it is pointed out that in many in
stances costly materials have been i'm
ported into the State, and outside labor
brought into the counties to construct
work which at best is temporary, when
imperishable home materials and good
home labor should have been employed
| to make permanent construction
Change in these conditions can be
| made for the better gradually by in
culcating knowledge of the economic
/ and fundamental truths concerning
| highway building. 1t is held to be the
duty OF the State to promote such
knowledge by dissemination of estab-
lished truths and technical information.
/ The department devotes much space
to consideration Of materials in this
State for such construction as we need.
| 1t is declared that we have enormous
wealth of good material and that what
We need most; is dissemination of true
knowledge how to utilize what lies
ready to our hands. For instance.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
| Space sufficient is taken to list the
materials, their character and grades
| which the Commissioners have found
| in each county in the State. A report
is included of the successful construc-
| ton of a road around New Year Point.
/ between Santa Cruz and San Mateo
Counties, through the advice and upon
the basis of the plans and estimates
made by the department. Similarly,
| by request of the people examination
and plans for a much desired road
have been made from Newman to San
| Jose.
The history of the Folsom and Sac
ramento model road effort and legisla-
ton is given in extenso, and what the
labors of the Commissioners were in
the premises. It is pointed out that
by vote the idea of State aid really re-
ceived Endorsement. The department
strongly desires that the project shall
yet be carried through
CAPITALIZING ROAD TAXES
Sketches of Amador and San Mateo
road matters and efforts to construct
roads are given, and the defeat Of the
bond proposition in the latter case set
out. It is advised that Boards Of Super
visors be authorized, by proper vote,
to capitalize a portion of the road
fund, provided that the road tax and
the tax for interest and sinking fund
shall not exceed the maximum rate of
40 cents on the $10O as now provided
by law. In many counties it is very
desirable to thus capitalize a portion
of the road tax that permanent roads
may at once be constructed and the
benefits enjoyed without increasing the
tax levy. This example is given how
the system would work:
Let the assessable property of a
county be taken as $1O,O0O,OOO This
at 40 cents on the $1OO will yield $4O.-
600 per year for road purposes. If one
half of this be capitalized at per cent
it will permit of the issuance of bonds
to the amount of 100000 and pay off
interest and capital in forty years,
giving the county the advantage Of
concentrating 100000 on its roads
without increasing its rate of taxation
and having the use of permanent roads
and the enhanced valuation of property
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