The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-13
WORK OF COUNTY SURVEYOR
OFFICE AND FIELD WORK sysTE-
MATTED BY PRESENT OFFICER.
Records and PIats of Every linz
provement on File ut Courthouse
MANY New Roads Surveyed and
Old Ones Made Better During Year

The surveyor of King county is an i'm
portant official, but few of those who last
week assisted to return Clarence l.. White
to that position for another term had
any conception of the duties of their con-
ddate
In the office of the surveyor at the
court house many new records have been
instituted during the past year. When
the present incumbent went into office
the requirements of the law were very
slack, and few books or plans were nee
essary. Now, however. the work of the
office is more systematized, and VIII G..
Wilson. the office deputy, can readily
turn to the records OF any improvement
constructed in past years, now under
way, or contemplated.
In this county where the topography
of the country is rough and the farms
are as yet practically isolated. in many
instances. from the surrounding prop
critics, great part of the surveyors
work is In the making of new roads. A
community desiring new road laid out
secures the signatures of a number Of
interested parties. and presents a petition
to the board OF commissioners OF the
county. That body turns 1t over TO the
engineer, and II then becomes his duty
to visit the locality. seek out the best
method of placing the road. and set his
stakes for the easiest grade. The pres
ent surveyor Is known to the members of
his profession as a man who will never
lay out a road In any but the best possi-
BILE way. He seeks to avoid heavy grades
and the result will be that when King
county's roads are complete they win be
a model for other communities
After the preliminary surveys are COM
peted the surveyor submits his report
to the commissioners, telling Of the length
of the road, its location and cross Sec
tons, profies, and every other plat that
will aid the builders. More than seven
ty OF these surveys have been made dur
ing the present year. many of which will
lie untouched for months. but will final
~ be used. Another large section Of the
work consists in making resurveys for
better grades on existing roads Much
OF this has been done during the year,
more than third of the outdoor work
being OF this nature
In many places the county roads run
down to the shores of Lake Washington.
and wherever this occurs the county
places wharf on the lake for the con-
venience OF the neighboring community.
The plans for all such structures are pre-
pared In the office by Mr. Wilson, who
also gets out the working drawings for
pile bridges, culverts, and in fact every
thing OF that nature on which COMPETE
tive bids are not offered. In instances
where large contracts for bridging are to
be let the contractors of course furnish
their own plans
The county does not furnish instru-
ments for its surveyor. Mr. White has
four fine transits, instruments which cost
an average of more than $3.50 He also
has the necessary levels, rods, compasses,
and other instruments for the work,
which represent a very considerable out
lay The draughtsman also furnishes HIS
own supplies, the county giving only inks
and minor articles.
The two men employed by the county.
~ engaged on the work OF the Office. The
orders of the commissioners are prompt
~ filled, and from the records kept in the
ONCE IL may readily be seen that King
county has made no mistake In returning
her present surveyor to serve another
term.