Connecticut western news., 1910-04-07
THE USE IF OIL
 ON STATE ROADS
TO. LAY THE DUST IN SUMMER
Commissioner Macdonald Says That He Will Do This Work Extensively This Year - Gives Advice About Repairing Graded Highways.

This Year - Gives Advice About
 Repairing Graded Highways.
 Highway Commissioner James H. Macdonald has sent out two letters to selectmen all over the state, one calling attention to the need of prompt repairs on roads now and the other giving in- structions for the repair of gravel and graded roads In the former the com missioner asks that the macadam roads be put in shape for an application of splinters, so that the roads will not suffer through delay in shipping stone. The commissioner adds: [
 May ask that you do not set this suggestion aside. for delays in repairing a macadam road are always fatal. It is my intention to extend constant atten- tion to all inacadaln roads during the entire season. It is also my purpose, after tine splinter treatment has been re- duced by travel and the oad has become receptive and the weather settled, 70 furnish and apply a treatment of ns- phaltic base oil, so that the dust may be laid during the summer months. I am outlining this policy of the state so that you may know exuctly the mind of the commissioner. Of course know it will prehend any plan that w1ll protect our roads. It is my purpose, however. to go to the limit Of my official privilege in maintaining our roa Is The duty is an arduous oue for all c3acerned. as it will require colStapt attention i'll many iii- stances. especially indicated on our pop ular thoroughfures.
 Eq i,1ily important is the advice given by the commissioner on the care and re- pair of graded roads. He gives instruc- tion for work in thls class of roads as follows:-
 s''On all graded roads, where the mois- ture has dried out sufficiently, it would be we'll to pare down the shoulders, clean out the gutter, examine and clean out all culverts and shape the road. I never have been friendly to the mid sum mer or late fall repair. There is time for everything and the midsummer and fall work on dirt roads (except inScases of washouts which should be attended to immediately results only i'll waste of money. Any one who has occasion to travel over dirt road that has been turnpiked by scraping all of the gutter wash and clods of grass on the side of the road on to the travel path, will agree that this is 8 wrong method to be em- ployed in the repair of roads.
 Ut is the purpose of the state to turn pike the dirt roads at the earliest possi- ble moment. When the road is in re- captive condition, as at present, there is an assimilation between the old road and the newly added material which is not found ia midsummer when the road IS dry. The state will assist the towns in making this character of repair to the extent of quarters of the allowance made by the state for such work. If the towns Ill which there are dirt roads will put the scraper at work just as soon as the roads are in a proper condition, and make repairs as outlined thereby elimin- ating the old and very much condemned practice of using the gutter wash and sod, travel will be materially assisted.
 "The amount of money that has come into my department has increased the allowance for repairs so that the state will be ill position to assist the towns to better advantage, along financial lines, than heretofore. While this amount of money is not as large, perhaps, as the work of repair would demand, we hope to be able to put our roads in first-class condition with the funds now available. If any dirt is used ill filling up depres sions or undulations i'll the road it should be good notwithstanding that has a wearing quality-even if it is necessary to go distance for 1t.
 Worn out material, commonly and called gutter wash, will make no return after it has been put on the road. The only excuse for using it is that it costs less to scrape this sort of material from the gutter than to get good material. If the state of Connec5i- cut had the money that has been wasted the road there would be no need for bonding the state to ensure a perfect system of highways. It is fully as inn portant, if we are to have a complete system of improved roads, to take care of the sections that have been con- structed as it IS to build new roads,"