Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-08-06
Comments and Suggestions Upon
the New Road Law.

In response to many inquiries, the
Legislative Committee of the State
Grange issues. to the Oranges of Penn
sylvanla the following brief comments
upon few of the more important pro
visions of the new Road Law.
The new Act does not disturb the
present township road law.
The new law becomes operative in
those districts only that apply for State
aid in road improvement.
Petitions for State aid for assistance
in improving a main travelling road in
the township may be made either by
township supervisors, or by the owners
of a majority of the assessable real
estate valuation thereof through the
County Commissioners.
In case of same desire by two or more
adjoining townships these petitions are
TO be singly made out and presented col
lectively to the County Commissioners
The owners of a majority of the
assesable real estate valuation IN
township may block action in that
township by sending petition against
it within thirty DAYS to the County
Commissioners.
All work done under this law shall be
by contract according to the plans and
specifications to be prepared by the State
Highway Commissioner.
Townships are eligible through their
Supervisors to become contractors
As showing what is meant 10y an
Improved Road in materials that
may be used, by whom selected. and gen
eral condition of the road we cite entire
the 23rd section of the act.
Section 23 All highways improved
under the provisions of this act shall re.
uuire the construction of macdamized
road. or a telford or other stone road,
or a road constructed of gravel. cinder,
oyster shells, or other good materials, In
such manner that the same of whatever
material constructed, will, with reason
able repairs thoreto, at all seasons OF
the year be firm, smooth and convenient
for travel. The County Commissioners
shall have the authority to select the
kind of materials to be used in improv-
ing any road under the provisions OF
this Act. Any difference of opinion
that may arise between the County
Commissioners and the township road
authc rites, as to the kind of road 10
be built, shall be decided by the State
Highway Commissioner. The State
Highway Commissioner shall furnish TO
the County Commissioners and township
road authorities information as to the
probable cost of improved highways, as
defined in this section.
mo section of Highway improved
under this Act shall be less than one
fourth mile in length nor shall the i'm
proved portion thereof be less than
twelve feet in width.
The State could well have afforded
an appropriation of 81, 600, 900 or more
per wear and should have done 30.
There is, however, but $500, 600 per year
for the next two years. 1t is to be dis
tributed to each county on the basis of
the road mileage in each county ascer-
tained by townships. This is wise
feature Of the Act as it gives equal con-
sideration to every mile of public road
in the State, in the poorer as well as
the more densely populated richer dis
tricts.
1t is provided That the County Com
misioners shall furnish, under oath, to
the State Highway Commissioner. the
total number of miles of township or
county public roads by townships.'
This mileage can be obtained in va
rious ways that will be inexpensive but
yet would, we think, be satisfactory.
This data should be locally preserved and
be available for the various townships.
If the amount to which each co-nty is
entitled is not applied for this year it re-
mains in the State treasury to the cred
lit of that county and may be drawn
next year along with the amount for
that year.
OF the expense incurred in improving
road under this law the State bears
two thirds, the county one-sixth and
the township one-sixth payable in cash.
It is permitted. however, for county
and township or townships to mutally
agree to bear different relative proper
tions of their combined third, but in no
case may either pay less than 5 per
cent. of the total cost
Legislative Committee of Pennsyl-
vania State Grange.
W. F. HILL,
w. r. GREASY,
G u RprrArnrc