The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-18

AAClCiid, HhaISh ~
ate bill 1885, by Abott, is designated by
the act as the general highway law.
Public highways are defined as all
highways, roads, lanes, streets, alleys,
courts, places and bridges, laid out or
erected by the public, or now travelled
or used by the public, or if laid out or
erected by others, dedicated to the
public, or made such by the petition
of real property owners
Highways are classed as common,
main and state. All highways not es-
tablished or improved as provided by
the act are designated as common
highways; main highways are such as
s~e established n improved under
he provisions of the act. No high
way may be abandoned except on or
der of the county commissioners, APP
proved by the state highway commits
sion, provided for by the law. The
width of all highways shall, he 60 feet
unless otherwise ordered by the board
Of county commissioners; private high
ways not less than 20 feet wide: but
act does not affect highW Ways already
created.
The board of county commissioners
in each county must annually levy n
cause to be collected a general tax of
not less than two mills, also a general
road tax of $500 per year on each male
under so and over 81 years, residents
in counties on March 1; provided act
does not apply to incorporated cities
and towns levying a like tax by ordi-
nance. Boards of commissioners may,
in addition to the two mill tax, issue
coupon bonds, based on the credit of
the county, for road purposes, provided
these bonds, with all outstanding in
debtedness shall not exceed five per
cent of the value of the taxable prop
erty in the county.
All employers are required to fur
ish a list of persons in their employ
on the third Monday in March of each
year, n monthly thereafter until Oc-
tober |. Failure to furnish such lists
will incur a penalty of $4,000. On no.
tice of the county treasurer all en-
ployers must collect the $500 tax or be
liable therefor.
County surveyors must keep road
plat books, recording fully all the de-
tails of public highways in the coun-
ties.
Boards Of county commissioners
have general supervision of all high
ways; they must keep the county di-
vided into road districts; place each
district in charge of a competent road
supervisor, and direct the work of such
officer.
They shall cause to be laid out,
opened and maintained all highways
necessary for the convenience of the
public, erect guide posts thereon, abol-
ish such as are not necessary, let con-
tracts for road work when amounts eX-
coed $1,000, and ma purchase or
otherwise lawfully acquire rights-of-
way.
They must furnish reports of all
roads to the state highway commits
sion when requested. They are au-
thorized to employ a competent road
builder at a salary of not more than 81
per day to serve during the pleasure
of the board. Such road builder to
have general supervision off all road
work in the county. Commissioners
are authorized out of the general fund
to buy road making and rock crushing
machines, also to buy quarries of
stone or other suitable road building
material.
Road supervisors serve only the
pleasure of the county commissioners,
at a compensation of not less than 81
nor more than 81 per day. Supervisors
may employ labor in road building at
not more than 81 per day, and not
more thar Sc for man and team per
day. Road supervisors may order out
residents of road districts when roads
become dangerous to public travel, and
refusal to do the work required is
made misdemeanor.
The amount expended in any district
must not exceed the amount appro-
priated by the county commissioners.
ROAD supervisors may open drains
and bitches for making and preserving
highways, and any person stopping or
obstructing such drains may be penal