The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-12
SNOW REPORTS
ON STATE ROADS
RECOMMENDS THAT THE PRES
ENT HIGHWAY BE ABOLISHED
AND GIVES STATUS OF PRES
ENT ROADS.
Special to the World.

Special to the World.
Olympia, Jan. I'm his biennial
report to the governor submitted to-
day State Highway Commissioner J
Snow recommends the adjustment
of the present state highway board,
composed of the state auditor, state
treasurer and highway commission
er. He points out that it is impos-
sible for the auditor and treasurer to
make a personal inspection of the
work being done in the field, and
that if a highway board is to be main
tanned it should be composed of en-
gineers who can devote their whole
time to the duties of the department.
Mr.. Snow doubts if the results Oh
tanned would justify the additional
expense of a highway board of en-
gineers, and as the highway commits
sioner is held entirely responsible for
the execution of the details of con-
struction work, he recommends that
all matters connected with the de-
partment be placed in the hands of
the highway commissioner. He also
recommends that the salary of the of
flee be made $4,000 a year and that
an increase be allowed in the office
force
Automobiles Destroy Roads.
In his report Mr.. Snow says there
are two road destroyers, the narrow
tired wagon and the automobile when
driven at high speed He urges a
law requiring wide tires and the reg
ulation of automobile speed, and the
payment of an annual license fee by
the latter to assist in maintenance of
tie expensive roads which they use
for speeding purposes.
Mr.. Snow recommends an amend
ment providing that the maintenance
OF state roads shall devolve upon the
state and be paid for from the pub
lie highway fund and that road fines
De laid into the public highway
fund.
At present the state has 1881 miles
of state road established and survey
ed The estimated cost of building
these roads is $4.500,00O. With the
present revenue of $4,000 per an
mum, one-half of which goes to state
roads, it will take approximately "a
n Jato
roads. Mr.. Snow, therefore, COM
mends that the levy for the highway
fund be increased / mill.
The commissioner reports that the
proposed road and bridges connect
ing the county roads of Island and
Skagit counties are feasible, but
questions the utility of the project.
Approval is given the proposed road
beginning at Hoodsport in Mason
county, and extending to Duckabush,
jefferson county. The proposed road
from Woodland, Cowlitz county, ex-
tending up the north bank of the
Lewis river to the mouth of the Big
Muddy, is feasible, he says, and of
great local utility.
LeavenwOrth Road Not Feasible.
The proposed route for a state road
beginning at Leavenworth and ex-
tending over Icicle pass to the north
fork of the Gle Elum river in Kittitas
county is not feasible, he says, on ac-
count of heavy grades. The pro-
posed wagon road providing connec-
ton between Pomeroy and the south
ern part of Garfield and Asotin coun-
ties is recommended.
An investment of 100000 will
provide work for 400 convicts and
enable communities in different parts
of the state to secure rock material
at 35 cents per cubic yard.
Urges Liberal Appropriation.
Liberal appropriations are recon-
mended for road No. 5. known as the
Cowlitz-BacheZ road: road No. Z,
known as the Snoqualmie pass road,
beginning at North Bend and extend
ing to EaSton and an important link
in the proposed state road between
Seattle and Spokane, and No. 8, 9TH
erwise known as the Columbia river
road. which begins at Washougal and
terminates at Goldendale. 1t will
traverse the Cascade range at a sum
NIT elevation of not more than 500
feet, and is considered the most I'M
portant transmountain road
The Montesano-Port Angeles road
cannot be opened for traffic for less
than s1,000,000, but is reported by
the commissioner to be a worthy pro-
ject and entitled to consideration
TRANSFERS OF THE WEEK.