Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-06-24

county boards IN various sections OF
the country during the past few
months in response to invitations to
tell what methods are best for obtain
ING funds for road construction and |
how the roads should be maintained
after they have once been secured.
At the present time there are two
principal methods of raising funds
for these purposes. but Director Page
believes that before plans are set on
foot for raising funds, much should
be said regarding the manner in
which such funds should be expended.
If the voters of county show a
readiness to spend generous sum in
improving their roads, it is of para
mount Importance to them to first as
certain what class of roads should be
constructed.
1t should not be assumed simply be-
cause county owns quarries from
which trap or limestone rock can be
secured that the expensive macadam
road must necessarily be built. The
qualifications of any rock cannot be
definitely decided upon until laboratory
tests have been held. Much money
has been almost thrown away in this
country, however, on the construction
of rock surfaced roads, those having
the construction in charge neglecting
to call in the services of expert chem
lists. and using rock totally unsuited
to their traffic or climatic conditio IS.
In many, many cases, the results
were disastrous, the roads quickly
travelling and going to pieces because
the cementing value was lacking.
A county which shows sufficient pro-
gress to bond itself in a liberal
amount for the purpose of securing
improved roads should keep its money
intact until it's officers have learned
exactly what class of road will best
meet its requirements; what type of
road it is best qualified to construct
and what il can best afford. Those
facts can be secured through the aid
of the National Government, the
Office of Public Roads standing ready
to give gratuitous advice and to sup
ply skilled highway engineers who
are qualified to tell what type Of
highway would best meet that coun-
tvs requirements to demonstrate
those decisions by supervising the
building of stretches of model high
ways, after which local officials may
take pattern.
Wide awake state and county off
Gals are now showing the liveliest
appreciation of the results which fol-
low visit by these skilful men,
and the demands for their services are
so heavy that iu is impossible for
Director Page to meet more than 20
per cent of the requests being filed
in his Office.
When county officers learn to APP
pfeciEte the fact that road building is
an art. they will rely more and more
upon expert advice and scientific
demonstration, and when they have
learned what class of roady is desir-
able, they will construct them and
then guard them.
Therein lies one Of the most inn
portant Of all American highway
questions. Americans build as good
roads as Engiishmen or Frenchmen,
but having done 80. they rest con-
tented with their efforts and let each
passing breath of air. speeding auto
mobile or drenching rain blow or
wash the road surface away.
In the countries of Europe, where
the wellnigh perfect roads are the
pride of the citizens and the envy
and admiral ton of visiting Americans.
most jealous care is constantly Civ
en-; careful day by day inspection
is made and every depression is quick
ly filled and all inequalities rolled or
tampcd.
Two requisites. therefore, confront
the county supervisors at the outset
first to ascertain what roads would
be most suitable to that particular
section, and to provide for funds to
expend in their maintenance after
completion.
Those are vastly important and the
nations very small percentage of
improved roads is due largely to a
failure to give consideration 70 them.
Millions of money have been wasted
in building roads which local condi-
tions made imprscticable and out OF
al cost proportion to the county:
revenue
There are exceptions to all rules
however. and Pike county. Alabama
etsnds - = giittevs~g exception Z
- uAsai Construction blunder
Thsrs ~ cpsaty eaicials hs'