Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-01-17

ana the mhLerials tt MANU- suitdoic iOi
road building. Ia many localities ex-
cellent roads could be built at small ex-
pense and maintained at low cost,
using as material, under proper treat
ment, the supplies of local gravel which
are found in great abundance. In other
places, the distance Of the road from the
gravel banks would be so great that 1t
would be more economical to use
crushed stone bound with asphalt,
though roads of this character, if prop
erly built, involve large first cost. Your
delegates would suggest, in view of the
great varieties OF road construction, road
materials aud methods which are in use
throughout the different sections of this
country that, before entering upon any
plans which involved large expenditures,
il would be wise for the State to take
every reasonable means of satisfying it.
self, through investigation and expert
ment, as tn the methods Of construction,
materials to be used, the plan of super
vision, etc., which are best adapted TO
its needs The State of Vermont has
no money to throw away in mis-
takes. We would suggest for your con-
sideration the sdvisability of the APP
pointment at the next Legislature of a
commission consisting of not less than
three, nor moro than five, members
selected from different parts of the
State, who would serve, for the time
being at least, without compensation, to
act in an advisory capacity with the
Commissioner Of Highways of the
State that this Commission should be
charged with the duty of ascertaining
and Recommending the best plan for
State Roads ia the State of Vermont,
together with the kinds Of roads best
adapted for the various localities of the
State, with estimates as to the cost of
building the same, aud suggestions as to
the best methods of raising funds neces-
sary for the building aud maintenance
of such roads, We would further sug-
gest that an appropriation be given to
the Commissioners of Highways to be
expended under the advice of this Com.
mission, in experiments in building
roads in different localities for the pur-
pose of sscertsining by practical expert
ence what kind Of road building was
: best suited to particular localities, and
. taking into account the cost of bull ding
aud maintenance most economical fol-
State purposes. This appropriation
should be large enough to enable the
Commissioners of Highways, amongst
other things, to consult experts and
enable him to purchase limited
amount of road building machinery
which could, if necessary, be used il
these experiments, and which could be
! used, under suitable conditions to be
imposed by him. by towns, villages Of
counties desiring to improve the roads
in their respective localities. Money
spent in careful investigation will save
itself many times over. We most en-
phatically oppose the expenditure OF
money in the building of costly roads
unless proper provision for maintenance
is provided. Good, we'll drained dir
roads are more satisfactory than poor OF
, uncared for macadam.
In presenting this report your dele
gates realize that the same is very gen.
eral in the nature of Its recommenda
tons, but they believe that it is along
these general lines the problem which
is growing in Importance will be worked
. out.