The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-01-23
REPORT ON HIGHWAYS.

Col. Sidney suggs Of Ardmore, state
inspector Of public highways, has sub
mitted a report to the legislature in
which he says
"The work the undersigned was
commissioned TO perform as hereinbe-
fore stated, was commenced immedi-
ately after oct 4, 1910. On the 14th
of November, 1910, the undersigned
mailed to each OF the county clerks
of the seyenty-six counties in the state
a circular letter and blank report
marked exhibit A. with request for
such data as the subject seemed to
call for, which reports are herewith
submitted and marked 'exhibE b.
Your honorable committee will note
tho seeming indifference exhibited on
the subject and the meager informa-
tion contained in the reports. Only
eight partial reports have been re-
ceiyed, which are hereto attached.
the other county clerks ignoring the
request for data which was called for.
while personal visits and solicitation
in several counties resulted in no in
formation being obtained for the rea-
son that no records that contained the
data We're obtainable.
The reports received indicate that
there is no system that obtains in the
several counties of the state whereby
road moneys are carefully and eco
nomically expended under skilled su-
peryision and adequate plans and
Specifications. Specific accounting for
the moneys do not seem to obtain, and
the expenditures Of the road moneys
are not evidenced in the roads
TO sum up the situation. the people
and taxpayers desire good roads, and
are willing TO pay the tax necessary
to construct them if statewide sys-
tenn was devised by their representa-
tives to accomplish the purpose. Our
average annual levies for highways
including poll tax county tax and
township tax totals sS,0O0,OOO, which
vast sum of the peoples money
scarcely maintains passable roads.
whereas If properly expended on ade-
quate plans and specifications under
skilled supervision the moneys would
construct miles Of permanent roads
annually and maintain the present
standard with approximately $4,000
miles Of surveyed and travelled road
ways The present moneys average
5000 per mile. a moiety of which an
nually reaches the roads.
"The result Of my investigation
clearly indicates the necessity for or.
ganization OF department Of high
ways by the state to be separate
and distinct department within itself
and a general organization under its
direction for the building and main
tenance of public highways This sys-
tenn is the only one which has brought
results in other states which have
built and are building good roads.
Nothing is more wasteful in the expen.
diture Of money than lack Of central.
lied direction and paid highway com
mission as in other states has not only
resulted in the building of good
roads, but in actual saving to the peo-
pie Of money that they pay annually
for road work The question is one
that reaches every taxpayer in the
state and is Of far too great import
ance 10 be left at loose ends without
organization. The amount of money
wasted under present conditions, by
reason Of lack OF system, would not
only maintain an efficient state high
way department, but would build many
miles Of road In the state each year.
This is not due to individuals or any
extravaganza or dishonesty on the
part Of the individuals charged with
road duty, but is entirely due to the