Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-30
"GOOD ROADS," BY CLIFFORD COLE,
BATAVIA ROAD BOOSTER

"A Dk
The following paper on "Gooe
Roads," was read by Clifford Coles a
meeting Of the Batavia Boosters
recently:
The good roads question is one
which today is occupying the attention
Of every thinking man in the United
States. This question does not afec'
alono the farmer or automobilist bu'
is one of vital Importance to all or us
owing to the fact that every extension
of the good roads movement and the
completion of every new artery has re-
suited not only in great production OF
food stuffs in that particular section
but has cheapened them on account OF
the small cost OF getting them into the
market. Although at the present time
there are between $4,000 and 20,OoU
miles of improved roads IN the United
States either under construction or
proposed, no section OF road is re-
lceiving the careful investigation or is
being watched as closely by the road
makers of the country and by good
iroed advocates as is the JOG mile road
(which Gen, T.. Coleman Dupont is con-
;structing at his own expense through
the state of Delaware. AS laid out,
the Dupont road consists OF several
parts. although not all of them will be
developed Immediately, the idea being
to increase the size OF the road as the
traffic becomts heavier. When COM
spleted the road will consist of a forty
foot strip in the middle which will be
given over to automobiles and on
either side of this forty foot strip,
fifteen foot strip which has been re-
served for trolley lines. Beyond the
trolley lines there will be thirty feet of
roads for horse drawn vehicles and
heavy trafic. Adjoining each of these
last named roads will be dirt roads
fifteen feet wide, under which will be
laid water pipes, sewers, telephone
and telegraph conduits etc., thus
eliminating any necessity for tearing
up the paved portions of the road. OF
course we do not expect to have any
such roads rs the one just described
in this section Of the country for some
time to come, but it goes to show that
the good roads question is one of great
importance for the upbuilding Of the
country at the present time.
Now in regard to the new road drag
law, am sure that it is the best law
Of its kind ever passed. In most every
way I believe it is practical, but COM
mon sense will need to be used in
carrying out the provisions. l believe
the time has come when all public Of
ficials, supervisors. and trustees in the
main, are satisfied to give the public
the worth of its money collected for
road purposes. There are exceptions
to this rule, but am sure as gen.
eral proposition that the trustees and
supervisors elected mean to give good
service, and to be honest and fair
with their neighbors. know and SO
do you that oftimes these men neglect
their duties, sometimes on account Of
other pressing business and sometimes
|beca0se they do not seem to care. 1t
does no special good to anyone to
roast tho trustees or supervisors. We
Ishould encourage them to do their
duty and If they fail to do this duty
|should resign according to law or not
FFaccept these positions unless they ex-
Erect to give them attention. I am in
hopes that every board of trustees in
thu countysor other counties in old
Iowa will comply with this law, the
nswasoaddragtlaw. and smahe it a4suc-
tcess.
Many%uuest1oussare rising, under~the
mew road drag law. which will en-
hh6Eor TO answer athe@way I under
tnfand The law.
Road drags are furnished by the
&Owushlps. These drags are to be
pad fOr Out. OF he;townshfp road funds
and no part Of the dragging fund
- q 1871 IN
nspd for this orsanpS otherspurpose ex-
eept dragging.
I II event the one min levy is not
ntScaient TO keap the roads dragged as
pntTacted for the trustees may use
6kher township funds for this purpose.
The salary and expenses OF the super
eedent Of dragging may be paid out
6& the regular township fund. The
uB4ees VIII instruct the superintend-
n4 Of dragging. that all main travelled
uads and all mail routes in the town
"Trip must be kep< dragged. The trus-
DeeB would also probably be the best
6udges OF the main travelled roads.
T The penalty that accompanies the
kDew road drag law ia this: Any VIOLA
bon of any Of tho provisions of this
fact by The superintendent OF dragging
eof any person or persons who may be
required under contract to drag dis
k4rict roads or neglect on the part Of
lany township clerk to set aside the
fund required by this act shall, on con.
,vfction thereof be fined not less than
$40 or more than $25 for the first Of
Tense, and for each subsequent offense
shall be fined not less than s25 or
more than $50.
The attorney general asks that this
matter be given all the publicity pos
sible. I am quite sure that when the
average man at meeting of this
kind notices on the program such a
subject as "Good Roads" he wonders
how long some man will talk. whether
or not he will tell some funny stories
or whether the man on the floor really
knows anything about working roads.
Now 1 have done some working of
roads in my day and probably have
travelled the roads as much as any one
in the house at my age and we all like
IN sea good long stretches of good