Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1909-07-02

Log dA w dllCJ dRC. CilCNoOA 80
Office of Public Roads of the q. S. De-
partment of Agriculture, has appeared
before State Legislatures a nd county
board in various sections of the country
during the past few months in response
to invitations to tell what methods are
best for obtaining funds for road con-
struction 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 be-
lieves that before plans are set on foot
for raising funds, much should be said
regarding the manner in which such
funds should be expended. 1t the vo-
tiers of a county show a readiness to
spend generous sum in improving
their roads, it is of paramount impor-
lance to them to first ascertain what
class of roads should be constructed.
1t should not be assumed that simply
because county owns quarrles from
which trap or limestone rock can be
secua ed 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 che
mists, and using rock totally unsiuted
to their traffic or climatic condition.
In many, many cases, the results were
disastrous, the roads quickly raveling
and going to pieces because the cement
ing value was lacking.
A county which shows sufficient pro-
gress to bond itself in liberal amount
for the purpose of securing improved
roads should keep it's money intact nm
til it's officers have learned exactly
what class of roads will best meet its
requirements; what type OF road 1T is
best qualified to construct and what 1T
can best afford. Those facts can be
secured through the aid of the Nation
al Government, the Office of Public
Roads standing ready to give gratui-
tous advice and to supply skilled high
way engineers who are qualified to tell
what type of highway would best meet
that county's requirements and to de-
monstrate those decisions by supervis
ing the building of model highways.
after which local officials may take
pattern.
Wide-awake State and county off
cials are now showing the liveliest ap
probation of the results which follow
visit by these skilful men, and the
demands for their services are SO heavy
that it is impossible for Director Page
to meet more than 20 per cent of the
requests being fled in his Office.
When county officers learn to appre-
ciate the fact that road building is an
art, they will rely more and more upon
expert advice and scientific demonstra-
tons, and when they have learned
what class of roads is desirable, they
will construct them and then guard
them.
Therein lies one of the most impor-
tant of all American highway questions.
Americans build as good roads as En-
| glishmen or Frenchmen, hut having
done so, they rest contented with their
efforts and let each passing breath OF
air, speeding automobile, or drenching
rain blow or wash the road surface
away.
In the countries of Europe, where
the well-nigh perfect roads are the
pride of the citizens and the envy and
admiration of visiting Americans, most
jealous care is constantly given; care
fnl day-by-day inspection is made and
every depression is quickly filled and
all inequalities rolled or tamped
Two requisites therefore, confront
the county supervisors at the outset
first to ascertain what roads would
be most suitable to that particular sec
ton, and to provide for funds to ex-
pend in their maintenance after COM
plstion.
Those are vastly important and the
Nations very small percentage of inn
proved roadsi is due largely to failure
to give consideration TO them. Mil
lions of money have been wasted in
building roads which local conditions
made impracticable and out of all cost
proportion to the county's revenue
There are exceptions to all rules, how
ever, and Pike county, Alabama, stands
as glittering exception to the usual
construction blunder There the coun-
ty officials had planned to expend q
large sum in the building of gravel
roads.
w. L. Spoon, United States Superin-
tendent of road construction, being sent
to make an inspection of the county's
road possibilities, learned that 700