The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-03-21
Will Help the Towns.

by Mr.. John Thomas, January %, and
now before the Committee on Roads
and Bridges, is one of the measures
that is in harmony with the progress
sive spirit of the day. Its purpose IS
tto authorize the levy of special
highway tax In towns, and to provide
for county aid in constructing perma-
nent highways"
The man who knows the difference
between good roads, Indifferent roads
and poor roads, knows without sPe-
cia1 investigation into the subject
that good roads cannot be hoped for
so long as their construction is left
entirely to the towns. The reasons
are obvious. Road making, in order
to be successful, calls for thes applica-
ton of certain principles which are
simple in character, but not usually
included in the fund Of knowledge &C
quired by the average rural pathmas-
ter. Briefly stated, those principles
are drainage, grade and protection or
the roadbed. All experts agree that
water is the greatest enemy of roads,
and until highway is properly grad
ed and adequate drains are construct
ed there can be no hope of accomplish
ing permanent, economical orssatisfac-
tory results.
Mr.. Thomas bill provides that "a
special tax may be levied at any town
meeting of a sum not to exceed two
and one-ha1f mills and not less than
one-ha1f mill on the dollar Of the as
sessed valuation, (which levy shall be
in addition to the highway tax al
ready provided for by law, and that
the sum so raiseds.sha11 be expended
in covering any main Travelled nigh
way, already graded, with I gravel,
crushed rock, or clay and gravel"
The bill also authorizes the levy of
county tax equal tosone-ha1f the cost
of the work to be accomplished, and
provides for the appointment.sof two
members of the County Dboard who
shall ''act with the Town Board of
Supervisors in making specifications,
letting the contract for inspecting, and
accepting the work"
The omission of comma after the
word ''for' in the sentence last quoted
was probably not intended by Mr..
Thomas, for should the bill pass as 1t
is now printed it will make no prov1-
sion for letting of contracts for road
making by the county supervisors,
acting with the Town board, merely
authorizing them to let contracts for
inspecting the work after it is com
p1eted and ready for acceptance.
The suggestion has been made by
practical men who have had expert,
ence in this movement, as we'll as with
Town and County boards, that all road
work of a permanent character should
made be under the supervision OF an
expert. To the end that road con
struction may be prosecuted more in
curry bureau of the Agricultural de-
partment has secured an appropriation
from the general government this year
to defray the expenses Of experts who
will be provided by that bureau to any
county that desires to inform its Off
Gals in the science of road making.
Small inland municipalities have their
city engineers, and counties have their
surveyors, who can be educated for
their duties in this department of pub
lie service without expense to the
cities or counties. In this way d
knowledge of the essential principles
necessary for intelligent work will
soon become common property and
progress along the line of improved
highways will be rapid and perma;
nent.
Mr.. Thomas bill is an important
measure and its passage should be
advocated by societies and individuals
working for better roads. The pro-
vision for county aid is the kernel OF
the whole proposition, and history
! furnishes ample demonstration that
such aid is required if permanent
roads are the object sought Milwau
kee Sentinel.
EDITOR DE RoDAYs has had the