New-York tribune., 1907-10-27
protest made by the county should be given
consideration.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDED

consideration.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDED.
We also believe that where a county has
county engineer the plans and specifications for
every state road in that county should be pre-
pared by him. TO be approved by the head OF
the department which has these matters in
charge In a county where there is no county
engineer the head of the department should
have power to appoint an engineer II he sees
fit. for such county. We feel in this county the
same as We did in 1908, when introduced
resolution in the highway convention held in
Albany follows: Resolved That this COnven-
tion recommend 10 the Legislature that all road
matters be taken from the State Engineer and
Surveyor and be placed In the hands OF three
commissioners to be appointed by the Governor
We believe road matters should be placed en-
lrely In the hands OF a state department OF
highways, and this department should have
nothing but highway matters TO engage its time
ana attention. This Is no new proposition but
II is a fact that ii has been tried out thoroughly
in the State of Massachusetts and is great
success as is evidenced in its substantial and
beautiful highways, and with a low cost for
construction and maintenance Why should we
not take advantage of Massachusetts success
in road building and initiate il TO the extent
of building substantial highways? Why should
the Legislature delay action on so important
matter?
In a few years the $4,000. 900 that the people
voted for state roads will be expended. Imagine,
If you please. the immense expense for main
tenance of this mere patchwork type of road
construction. If the Legislature allows the $50
100000 TO be ruthlessly squandered is being
done year after year. The people want good
cism about spending the peoples money IN this
way, but they do object to the present shoddy
construction and feel the state should safe
guard their interests IN some way before any
more money is wasted
One of the most important and fundamental
principles of road building is that, after they
properly constructed they should be ma!ntained.
This feature OF road work in Monroe County has
been neglected to outrageous degree. Not
withstanding that the state compel the town
70 pay its share for this work. the town and
county can do nothing TO compel this work to
h..
when the State Engineer sees tit to do this work.
II is also desirable that the state should en-
courage the planting Of shade trees along its
highways. Massachusetts has been very sue
cessful in this work, and would do well
emulate her example in this respect well as
IN others
A great amount Of nonsense has been pub
lished from time 10 time about the automobile
being responsible for the state roads being seri-
Ously injured by their travel. When the State
of New York reaches TIE period in its history
when ii will build good roads as the states
Of Massachusetts,, Connecticut and New Jersey
II VIII be time then 70 give the effects of auto
mobile travel on macadam roads consideration.
II Is the opinion Of those who have made a study
OF thls matter that the automobile, with its
large pneumatic tires does more good than in
jury TO every road it travels over in this
try.
Another matter that is Of great importance 10
the taxpayers in this county Is information as
to how much money is expended each year in
maintaining the state roads. Every town which
contributes It's $50 mile for maintenance Of
state roads Is entitled to know where this
money Is expended The same can be said Of
the county. The authorities in charge % this
work should be compelled by law 10 NAB a de-
tailed statement fully itemized showing where
the money Is expended in each county and file
the same with the board OF supervisors II IS
now impossible TO procure any information about
this important matter except in a general way.
The board of supervisors of this county has will
ingly supplied the county's share OF money for
building and maintenance OF state roads We
have also supplied the State Engineer with
everything he has asked for in the shape Of In
creased appropriations for the construction OF
state roads.
Our conclusions, however. are that he cannot
do any better than his predecessors The best
state roads constructed in this county were
those built during Mr.. Bonds administration,
and were the first constructed in this county
They, however, were not a success.