Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1912-09-05
FOR BETTER ROADS
PARKER TAKES UP CUDGEI, FOR
IMPROVEMENT OF HIGHWAYS.
POINTS TOvALUE OF ORANGE
Split Log Drag Maintains Road In
Condition At Cost Of $1,000
to $1,000 Per Mile.

Like the poor, the subject of public
road improvement is always with us.
Fully ninety per cent of the public
roads Of the United States are earth
roads built Of the material over which
the roads pass. The percentage is lar
ger in Idaho, and some expert statisti-
clan has figured that it reaches % per
cent in Latah county. I suppose you
may call the raods in Idaho county
earth roads, since mud is derived from
earth. At any rate they are the only
roads, such as they are, and have a pri-
mary call on our attention, not only
because they are the only roads we
have, but because they furnish the
foundation for future improvements
Engineers have established the PROPOSE
ton that a good earth road is the first
step towards further and more costly
improvement. How can the roads Of
Camas Prairie be kept good, smooth
and free from dust and mud at an ex-
pense that we can standf It will
require some central organization for
general planning, direction and over
sight. This we have acquired in the
organization Of Highway Districts, and
a notable start has been made in
road Improvement under their work
during the present year. But much re-
mains to be done. The Highway Dis
trict organizations must supply expert
assistance in location, drainage and
instruction in permanent improvements
and bridges.
There are three Fundamental prin-
ciples to be observed in road construc-
ton everywhere, and the first is:
Drainage.
The second principle is drainage.
And the third is drainage.
Much has been attempted this year
IN road improvement on Camas Prairie,
but in driving around note that the
three great principles Of Drainage, Drai-
mage, and again Drainage are generally
overlooked. 1t is not enough to crown
road if no drainage Is provided for
the accommodating water in the bitches
which borders the road sides, because
this standing water is bound to seep
through and keep in a soft condition
the entire roadway. Drainage should
be provided, even if ditching for mile
or more must be dug to obtain it.
With drainage provided the roads
will require nothing more expensive
for permanent maintenance than faith
full and persistent use Of the inexpes-
sive Split Log Drag by men in charge
OF sections Of four miles Of road or less.
1t should be the duty Of these men at
the proper time after rain to ira
verse the road and smooth out the
wheel tracks Of various vehicles,
keeping the crown true to form, and
then the road surface win harden in
drying to shed the next rain. The
split log drag 10 . tool to maintain .
road, not to make it. It's persistent use
! Tor . few years will make any earth
road good, smooth and free from dust
and mud, except for ) time immedia-
teiy following :. rain. Engineers es-
innate . cost Of ten to twelve dollars
Per mile for the use Of . drag, team
and labor to 60 over . road ten to
fifteen times.
The condition Of our roads have been
3 vastly improved BY the work Of the
Highway Commissioners this year, but
this 10 not enough. There must be in
addition that faithful local attention