The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-20
v ANTI C0lllCTS
TO CRUSH ROCK
Indiana Scheme FOR Getting Cheap
Crushed Stone Under Investigation
Highway Commission Not Opposed
to Good Roads Amendment Rock
Surface Not Always TO Be Demanded.

Some mistaken impressions are
abroad concerning our board, - said
Gustave scholle, president Of the state
highway commission, today. 6 We have
been accused Of opposition to the con-
stitutional amendment, and OF desire
to defeat it at the polls. The amend
ment increases the amount Of tax that
may be levied for the state road and
bridge fund from one.tWentieth to one
will be q great thing il properly ad-
ministered and we favor the amend
ment. We do not favor an increased
tax, however, if it is to be distributed
on the old plan by the legislature The
amendment makes no difference in the
status Of the highway commission.
HIt is supposed by many that we
intend to require a rock surface for
all roads on which state money is spent.
That is incorrect. In our specifications
we will take in consideration the char
acter Of the road, the sparseness Of set
Element, and the materials available.
There will be different standard for
roads in Roseau county from that in
Ramsey. Where they need passable
roads we will try to cover more ground
with the money.
ttWe are investigating the PROPOSE
tion Of state rock crushing plant to
be run BY prison labor, as in Indiana.
There they have a huge stockade sur
rounding the rock, and at seasons Of
the year force Of convicts is put to
work in there breaking rock. The rail
roads haul it at a low rate, and the
state sells the rock to counties at cost.
There is q fine rock supply for the pur-
vestigation we may ask the legislature
to start such q plant. It would employ
the prisoners In q way that would not
compete with any free labor. a
eve will soon be prepared for test
ing road materials. Gravel is a good
surfacing material, and the most COM
mon, but not all gravel will do in it's
natural state. We will take samples
from any locality and test them. Some
need more clay and some have too
much. We will supply the needed In
formation in each case.'
e The board will do nsiderable cir
year. A blank with eighteen questions
Is being sent to county auditors and
surveyors, and to chairmen of county
boards. It calls for all kinds of sta
tistical information. One question asks
for the average annual amount paid
road overseers. This will develop the
big expense ratio on present road work.
A week ago at Owatonna, where Presi-
dent Scholle and Secretary Cooley adj
dressed q good roads meeting, it was
shown that $4,000 lis spent in Steele
county every year forjoverseers. They
are not trained road men. For. 81 800
the county could hire Al road expert for
allS the work. The meeting voted unan-
imously against the overseer system,
and the next legislature may be asked
to naSs nm act permitting countless to
Asplit-log 3SEag = Willssoon be sent out,
Secretary aolear goes: tod florida to-
night with the special sparty attend ling
the automobile raess.a President Scholle
will go to- Cali IN la about Feb.tEf1,
and while there WI investigate their
up-to-date road-making system, and
their use Of crude oil to lay dust on the
roads. i