The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-17
America Bad Second to
 France in Road Building

sion concerning the damage caused to highways by automobiles, and Mir. Lewis reports, the delegates agreed that since automobiles came into use the cost of road maintenance had increased by from q to 4s per cent. In view of these figures the convention recorded itself in favor of putting higher taxes on automobiles.
 Mir. Lewis goes on to say that the work of paving streets in European cities Is always left to trained experts.
 The materials and methods of using them are the subject of intelligent and painstaking investigation, and a careful record Is made of the results obtained not only in the laboratory but on the street. Experience gained in one divis- ion of public works is promptly availed of in others, and new and successful methods employed in one city are promptly adopted by other municipalis ties. Nearly all the European cities send some member of their technical stan each year to investigate what is being done in other countries and cities in order that they may have the bene, fit of the latest knowledge and the most improved methods. Tn this respect we are far behind them and for this fact the cumbersome organization, or rather e lack of organization, in our highway work is largely responsible.
 The Board of Estimate and Appor- tionment has lately created two conn mittees which are to report respectively upon methods of keeping cost data in connection with highway and sewer maintenance. These committees will soon submit reports, with recommenda- tions for the adoption of methods which will at least show where and how ap- propriations are expended and whether they are we'll used or largely wasted.
 But more than this Is required; more careful investigation as to the special fitness of materials for the purpose for which they are to be used, and stand. ard specifications to insure the furnish ing of materials of the desired quality; a well equipped laboratory to make not only the tests named in the specifica- tions but to conduct experiments which will lead to the adoption of methods and materials better than those In conn mon use. careful investigation of the best means of reducing if not entirely avoiding .the dust nuisance on our mac. adam roads, and the best and most eco- nomical methods of securing dustlass roads for new construction and resur~ facing; a thorough reorganization of the force employed by the city so that 1t shall be better balanced, that each man must do fair days work or get out, and that the amount of work done by each unit in the organization may be increased while the size of the payroll may even be diminished. the keeping of careful and intelligible records to indi- cate the initial cost the expense of maintenance and the effective life of all pavements which are laid.
 If these policies could be inaugurated and adhered to the highway work of the city might be put upon a sound and economical basis. To accomplish these results with a separate highway bu- reau in each borough, and with no CO., operation between them, would be well nigh impossible. and with the dupllca- tion of work which now exists the economies desired would not be effected.