El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-08-08

MesilIa. Park, N NJ, Aug S.-The
Dona Ana county road board held four
meetings during July and two to the
present date during August 1t has It's
hands full, endeavOring to administer
in a. businesslike way the expenditure
of the 100000 county bond issue, funds
from which are now on hand
The board has carefully considered
and announced its policy as to the en-
plOyment of labor in connection with
the expenditure Of the bond issue pro
ceeds The rate Of pay for grading,
gravel hauling or other labor viii be
based upon the lowest available rate
from any source, but citizens and resi-
dents of the county will be given pre-
ference in the matter of employment
under these rates
Nine inch GraveIIed.
A force of about so teams is now en-
ployed hauling gravel from the pits
near Mesilla Park and building the
Canine Real between that point and Las
Cruces. The Canine Real is being con
strUcted of a foundation layer of gravel
5 inches thick, mixed with binder and
rolled, and a four inch upper layer of
gravel with binder; thus making a to-
tai gravel surfaces nine inches thick
The gravel is being screened at the pit,
by means of a trap, loading by gravity
into the wagons. Three yards are be-
ing hauled in two wagons with each
four mule teams A gravel screening
plant using rotary screen Will arrive
within a few days, when IL Is expected
that the cost of screening and hauling
gravel will be still further reduced
Tractor Is Coming.
A Big Four tractor with three five
yard dump cars is now on the way and
viii arrive within few days This
tractor is being shipped into the county
by the makers subject to trial and the
performance Of the work required Of
IL in a satisfactory manner before be-
ing finally accepted by the road board
1t is expected that IL viii materially
reduce the cost Of gravel hauling, in
addition to having the added expense
of interest and depreciation upon the
outfit, the cost of which will be over
$4,000,
To Haul Gravel on Trains.
The road board has also under con-
sideration with the Santa Fe railroad
the shipment of gravel from the large
gravel deposits lying along the rail-
roads rigntoIWay north OF DOna Ana,
for delivery at various points between
Las Cruces and the Texas state line, for
use on the Canine Real The route Of
the Canine Real Immediately adjOinS
the railroads rightOfWay on the east
side betWe cen these two points, and it is
believed that by hauling this gravel
IN work trains, the cost can be ma
teriaIy reduced. Francis Z. Lester, Of
the road board, conferred a few days
ago with general manager T. C Fox,
with the result that it is believed
satisfactory arrangement will be en-
tered into in the very near future
Grading Canine Real.
Three grading gangs are now at
work on the Canine Real between Las
Cruces and the Texas state line, com
pleting the grading still to be DONE
preparatory TO the gravel surfacing.
The board desires to get as much graz
ing done as possible during the rainy
season, so that the soil will become
thoroughly packed.
The road board. has also made ar
engagements for starting work at an
early date on the Improvement Of the
road between DOna Ana and Leasburg,
realizing that the citizens in the upper
part Of the valley are in urgent need of
better road facilities in that section. The
board conferred this week with its
deputy, J. W Stewart, as to the part
Of the read requiring attention first.
To Confer With Citizens.
At q. recent meeting the road board
decided to visit in a body the northern
part Of DOna Ana county, at some cen
tra1 point convenient 70 the citizens
Of the various communities. This
meeting IS for the purpose Of confer
ring with them as to the manner in
which they desire to have a part of
the bond issue proceeds expended
There appears to a division of opin-
ion, some citizens wishing to have a
large part Of the money expended for
a new bridge, others for the improve
ment of the roads. The meeting will
be held probably ct Hatch, or some