Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-03-31
South Dakota Road Law.

acted by the twelfth session OF the
South Dakota legislature, will take
effect on July |, next. 1t comprises
a complete code of road laws, replac-
ing the regulations now in effect. On
the whole it marks a distinct advance
toward the solution of the good road
problem. The new law will apply to
every county in the state unless
local option clause is appealed TO In
some counties. Under the local op-
tion clause the question of Suspending
the whole law can be submitted at
the next general election, II ten per
cent of the free holders OF county
petition for such a referendum. If a
petition is filed the law is suspended
until after the next general election.
If majority for the law shall then
be recorded it shall become immedi-
ately effective. If the vote is adverse
existing road regulations shall con-
tinue to apply in the county.
With the new law in effect the Of
flee of township road overseer is
abolished, and township road respon-
is discharged by the town
ship supervisors, one of whom shall
be designated to look after the work,
receiving 50 day for the time &C
tually employed. The township su-
pervisors have the right TO make
tax levy for township road work, the
fund so raised, as well as the poll tax
proceeds, to be turned over TO the
treasurer. The township
have jurisdiction over all
improvements amounting
to less than $500. II the contract
involves less than 500 it may be let
without advertising for bids. Ii over
800 bids must be advertised for.
The price to be paid for construction
and repair work shall be stipulated
by the supervisors. Taxes must be
paid in cash unless the electors at
the annual town meeting decide to
allow them to be paid in labor at the
rate of 20 cents per hour per man, or
40 cents per hour for man and team.
All construction involving an ex-
penditure of $500 or over on con-
tinuous stretch of road shall be done
by the county under the supervision
of the board of county commissioner ers.
In counties where the mountainous
area is considerable the commissioners
may employ practical engineer to
tend road work, his pay to be
fixed by the board. The county
comm missioners can levy road tax OF
not to exceed mills in addition to
the township levy. The county levy
can be increased to ten mills by vote
of majority Of the electors Of the
county. So far as equitable the pro-
ceeds of this country road tax shall
be expended in the townships in pro-
portion to the amount received there
from. In unorganized counties the
county road tax shall not exceed
eight mills, The road work there
will be in charge of the county COM
In connection with the
county road work the commissions
have the right TO construct drains
across private, state or county pro-
perty, and assess benefits and damages.
Whenever resident freehoIders own
ing two-thirdS of the property along
any dirt road shall petition for mac
adamiziug, hallasting, oiling or other
artificial improvement, the county
commissioners may contract for such
improvement, TO be paid for in part
from the county road fund, but in
the main by special assessment against
the abutting property. In the case
of state lands adjoining highways,
the state is TO pay its share of tho
road improvement, the work III such
cases to be done under the direction
OF the state engineer.
Compulsory road dragging is pro-
vided for in requirement that tb e
township officers shall have all main
travelled roads, including mail routes
at such time as in their
judgement is most beneficial, and
shall contract for the work at their
March meeting each year. In letting
contracts for dragging, preference
N ust be given to residents OF abut-
ting or ad jacent land. The dragging
need not be confined TO main travel
ed roads. No dragging shall be paid
for unless authorized by the town
ship officers. Not more than 40 per
cent of the township road fund shall
be expended for dragging.
The code contains the convent ion-
al provisions for cattle ways under
the roads, railroad crossings, and the
use of roads and bridges for traction
engines. wood Telegram.
Cost of Living to the Farmer.