The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-08-01
Road Making in the Valley

Pembina Pioneer Express: The con-
troversy over the location Of the
Meridian road in this county is set
tied by recognizing both routes, the one
along the Great Northern to Neche and
the other from Pembina south through
Toilette and Drayton south, intersect-
ing the western division at Man
vel.
The contest in this county as to the
location of the road. while perhaps act
uated mostly by selfish motives Of the
communities through which 1T was de-
sired that 1t should pass, has already
proven Of considerable general benefit.
Competition is the life Of trade, and
competition seems to have a similar
effect on good roads, which are the
arteries Of trade, but probably so per
cent Of the "roadwork," as assessed,
is a dead loss.
The system Of road making as here
tofore practiced in North Dakota and
most other states has been proven by
experience to be the very worst pos
sible. We do not intend at this time
to go into details, but there is no need
Of details, the roads show for them
selves. The amount Of money osten-
sibly spent on our highways in Penn
bina county according to the tax lists
for the last thirty years is something
stupendous, but the roads don't prove
1t. Suffice to say that judging from
such researches Is have been made
by this writer from the county books.
that he is in a position to declare
that every mile Of graded road in this
county has cost from $500 to 81, 900,
and in some townships more than
that. That is to say, nonresident
property is taxed at that rate to build
roads according to the tax lists.
Thirty odd years ago the streets of
this city of Pembina were graded.
Practically no grading work has been
done on them since that time except
in some few places, AS we look out
Of the window as we write, within two
hours after a heavy shower, the SUR
face OF the streets Is quite smooth,
except for some shallow ruts, made by
wagons which have passed since the
rain, but which are SO shallow that
the roadway is nearly dry and an auto
would run readily anywhere.
There is no eas why every high
way In this county should not be in
the same condition. The secrets of the
good roads in Pembina r good drain
age and smooth surface. The first
being secured by bitches leading to
the rivers and the second by the use
Of the split log drag after rain, and
we think the latter has not been used
| more than four times this season. Our
| streets are not kept very high in the
center, just rounding as made by the
drag.
Just two things are necessary to
keep the country roads I'm good condi-
| ton. Drainage and smoothing the
surface after the spring rains. If the
latter is done in the spring the roads
will need but little attention during
the summer. The road will stay pack
ed as il may be packed In the spring
The surface does not turn to dust
after drying.
Nature has furnished this valley
with the best natural roads on earth
The black soil has certain qualities
that are somewhat unique. Notwith-
standing the extreme hneness Of its
particles and its depth, 1t has a most
remarkable quality of drying up rap
idly after rain. AS compared with
similar soils in other states it alsc
has a remarkable faculty of bearing
up heavy loads without miring even
when wet. But above all. 1t viii pack
harder and harder after each rain
(and If ii is wanted to be packed
smooth. Just haul the drag yer thern.)
But when we say the "bIack soiI'
that is just what we mean. Not yellow
clay from the bottom OF the roadside
ditch. That is sticky when wet and
i WHEN Lis ~ IlCClC QdSO bASy
gather Jumps, first making a hole and
then deposit the Jumps a little distance
on making a small hill, with the re-
suit that the road becomes uneven
when dry.
But the worst possible STUFF to make
a road with lis the sods taken from half
way down the slope OF h highway
bitches. Most road oycrseers are just
now 'hxing' the roads so they will be
impossible for the rest Of the season.
They are blowing up the road half way
down the slope of the ditch. the1 shove
the sods thus gathered to the middle oi
the road In a heap two or three feet
high. Then the passing vehicles cannot
go on the side of the road for the pIow-
ing nor in the middle for the pile Of
scd.
The theory seems to be to get the
middle Of the road high to have the