The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1911-04-06
About Special Road Districts.

n the West Plains, Mo-, Journal, by
Mr.. THEODORE R. Birkenhauer, of Brands
vile, Mo-, who seems to have the
right idea in regard to the best method
Of getting good roads in this section
of the state. We repubish the article
that our readers may get some idea oi
the workings of the special road dis
tict plan:
In all my dealings with prospective
buyers OF farms in this section, the
leading question asked by all is How
are the roads?" I drive a man or 6
miles into the country over washed out
rullies, down the center of almost i'm
passable roads, roads so narrow that two
teams cannot pass without one of them
driving out through the timber; he
sees the farm, is pleased with it, the
land is good, the price reasonable, in
fact it seems a bargain to hiu-but
Haven't you anything on good road?
would rather pay more and be on a
good road.'
The majority of our roads meander
through the woods, taking the best
route-the line of least resistance.
Whenever a tract of unimproved land
is sold, the road is fenced up and
new road must be made around the
fence.
Under our present road laws
Doll tax-it takes years to put a new
road into passable condition. Without
grading and drainage the road becomes
ditch, and by the time it would
naturally become a good road, if pro-
perly drained, it is necessary to cut
out another wagon track at one side of
if. This method is repeated over and
over again and is expensive to every
man who drives team, as it affects
horseshoes, tires, the life of wagon,
and the hauling capacity Of every team.
The only remedy for this condition of
affairs is to organize Special Road Dis
hicts and put all roads on section lines.
Under this law Special Road District
(not over miles square) may be orga-
nized by petition of the majority OF
the acreage of such districts.
The County Court appoints three
road commissioners Presidents of this
district) whose terms expire in /, Q
and 8 years, and successors are cleo
ted at annual meetings of the real estate
owners, similar to our annual school
meetings. These commissioners have
charge of all road work and can appoint
road overseer and direct what roads
shall be worked. In case OF grading
and draining by contract, to be paid
for by bonding the district, the matter
is to be decided by majority vote of
the acreage of said district. Under
the Special Road District laws Cart. z,
Rev. Stat. of Mo-, 1909, Vol. 81 the
district may be bonded and permanent
Improvements of public roads may be
let by contract to the lowest bidder,
and paid for in 20 yearly installments,
collected as taxes by the County Colec-
tor.
COSTS OF MAKING ROADS.
Actual experience around Brandsville
has proven that roads can be graded,
arched in the center and ditched at
each side, 40 feet wide, at cost 5000
per mile. Concrete sewer pipe should
De used wherever it is necessary to
cary water across the road and dirt
nlied over it as deeply as desired, for
concrete will net 1ust or decay ana
need never be renewed. It is there to
stay. Where the road crosses a small
stream the bed of the stream should be
deepened in order to carry all the water
IN as narrow space as possible, and
one CT two concrete culverts, eight or
ten feet in diameter, should be built
to cary the rad across the stream and
avoid the danger and annoyance of
iording these streams during high
water, besides making a better crossing
and easier grade; $500 per mile should
De more than enough to grade and arch
the r0sIc ~ e.-a --I 49, e.