The suburban citizen., 1902-06-21

II NiANNAbL VI llb NllNC VI
Road Inquiries. makes the follow.
ing remarks regarding the work of the
office and its needs and plans for the
future:
1T is proper just here to call atten-
tion TO misconception which appears
to exist in the minds of some to the ef-
feet that increased appropriations for
this work may lead to national aid. 1t
should be distinctly understood that the
work of this Office, like that of many
other divisions of the department, is
purely educational.
Scientific road building necessitates
not only the consideration of local con-
ditions, such as climate and soil, rain
fan and drainage, but also a study of
available materials adjacent to the
road. To transport materials great
distance adds so much to the cost as to
render roads scientifically constructed
of foreign materials impracticable.
Competent road builders should dis
cover and test the available materials
and show by practical object lessons
how the most good can be made OF
them with the least possible expendi
ture of money and labor. The best ma
teTials are not always discovered, and
thousands of dollars are wasted in this
country annually by the use of poor
materials where little expert study
and advice would have developed good
materials close at hand The best
methods Of using these materials are
Oftentimes unknown. and money is
wasted in their improper application.
All these things require scientific study
and investigation. The people of tho
country are now interested in this mat
ter as never before, and they are de-
manding and are sorely in need of au.
thentic information along these lines
Furtherfore, this is n work which the
Government can do for them much bet.
ter and more economically than they
can do for themselves
after having considered all letters,
requests and resolutions which have
come to the department, and after con.
sulting and corresponding with many
of the most prominent farmers and
road advocates throughout the country
l have the honor to recommend that
Congress be asked TO increase the ap.
preparation for this office for the next
fiscal year TO $4,000. If this increase
is granted / would recommend that
there be devoted, Professionally, to in.
vestigations and educational work,
$1,000 in each of the States and Terri
tories, and that the balance be used in
dcfraying the running expenses of this
Office and road material laboratory.
THE necessity Of furthering the work
OF this laboratory is felt all over the
country, and at least $4,000 is needed
for carrying on this branch of the work
for the next fiscal year. The small
sum Of $500 heretofore allotted to
each of the four divisions of the coun.
try is not sufficient to pay the salary
and expenses of competent persons.
The department should be able to COM
mand the entire time and attention of
those representatives. but in order to !
do this at least $2500 should be set |
apart for each division.
Our small force has been so COM
pletely occupied with outside work that |
the preparation Of didactic literature |
had to be neglected. This branch of !
the work should also receive more at. |
tention especially the collection, illus !
tration, printing and distribution of |
practical and scientific information. / |
trust therefore, that you will find it |
within your power TO secure at least /.
$4,000 for the use Of this office for the
next fiscal year.
When the last report was submitted |
there was some doubt as to whether |
we could secure a sufficient number of |
trained men to carry on extensive in |
vestigatons in the various States, but |
during the last year the Office has de- |
voted great deal Of attention and !
study to the selection Of persons who |
are sufficiently skilled to inaugurate
this work. 1t is gratifying TO announce
that we are now prepared greatly to
extend the work Of this office, and the |
appropriation above mentioned, if |
granted by Congress, will be expended
jrdiciously and wisely"