Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-29

progressive agricultural community, and
enable them to market their produce at
minimum of cost in time and labor, not
only during the most favorable times Of
the year, but at all times and under all
circumstances. Roads have been built and
can be built again that will comply with
such requirements, but in order to accom-
plish such results we must abolish all an
tiquated methods and invoke the aid Of
improved machinery and the assistance Of
the modern road builder.
No progressive farmer uses today the
fail or sickle OF fifty years ago; but on
every farm we near the melodious noise
of the reaper and listen TO the rumble Of
the steam thresher as IL delivers to wait
ing hands the golden products of Ne
braskas fields. If we had advanced in our
system OF road construction as we have
along the lines of agricultural develop
ment there would be no necessity to urge
the people TO put forth greater efforts
in that line But this we have not done
and 1t becomes our duty now to take up
the road question and carry it on un-
ceasingly until the primary transportation
facilities of the state are equal TO the
reasonable demands OF an up-to-date and
progressive community.
Highway Commission Needed.
Legislative enactment should prepare
the way for intelligent supervision, and
an individual responsibility. by providing
for the appointment Of a highway commits
sion for the state, a superintendent of
highways in each county, and road in
speotor in each town; men whose duties
require them to understand the condition
and requirements of every mile Of high
ha
people of the western states TO give this
| system fair trial, believing that as soon
as such officers become acquainted with
their duties and the need OF the roads in
their particular districts they can much
more inteligently use the road funds en-
trusted 10 their care and make every
dollar expended count at least one hun
bred cents toward permanent road con-
struction.
The work required of these men should
be not to build, even with the aid OF the
Estate, expensive macadam roads but only
such roads as are suitable 20 the condi-
ton and requirements Of the people and
such as they are able to properly main
tain. and so for many years our energies
must be directed TO the construction and
maintenance OF the common earth road.
We must see to it that our roads are well
drained. bitches kept open and free from
weeds, so that in those portions where
the slope OF the land is very slight the
waterway may have free access to, through
and away from the side bitches into some
previously constructed or natural line OF
drainage.
/ Hence It becomes necessary to employ
in many cases a competent engineer to Sc
cure a suitable slope TO the bitches. and a
/ few dollars 50 expended will insure sue
cess on this most important work. Gull
| verts should be provided wherever needed
/ so that no water be allowed TO stand for
any length OF time on the road, in the
/ ruts or in the bitches.
"On such soil as you have here water
/ is an ever working factor in the destruc-
/ ton OF your roads, and the road surface
should be kept as hard possible 10 pre-
vent the formation OF ruts. high and
round, so that the water may find ready
access to the bitches, and as smooth as
possible so that no depression shall afford
chance for standing water 10 soften and
destroy the surface.
DO not be discouraged BY the fact thai