Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-23
NEW ROAD LAW AT WORK.
TSio,y (Sify Journal


Iowa's new road law went into ef-
feet when it was published on April
g. and already there are reports OF
counties readjusting their road work
to comply with it. Pottawattamiew was
the first county heard from. Now
comes Aoair. Presently there will be
a rush. After the rush is over it prob
ably will be discovered that the new
road law means a distinct net gain
for the good roads movement in Iowa.
Under the new law 1t becomes the
duty Of the board of supervisors in
every county to establish a county
road system. The county road sys-
tenn is to comprise from 10 to Is per
cent of the total mileage in the county
The selections are to be made by the
board with a view to connecting the
various business communities OF the
county. Having established this coun-
" road system. il becomes the function
of the board Of supervisors to improve
and maintain 1t. To this end county
engineer is to be appointed whose duty
is to survey all the roads of the sys-
tenn with a view to improvement. The
engineers survey and report is to be
"on the basis and with the object IN
said county roads. both as to bridge
culvert. tile and road work The en-
gineers' survey and report. having been
approved by the supervisors. must De
forwarded 10 the state highway COM
mission. which is to recommend the
form the improvements shall take. Inc
recommendations of the state high-
way commission must be preserved
and followed in all improvements OF
county roads. In this way 1t is expect
ed the county roads system VIII De ce-
veloped as far toward permanent
basis as can be done short OF nara sur
facing. Developments in that cirec-
ton may wait for two years. aitho
there is now on the statute books
law under which hard roads could De
constructed by Improvement districts
where the property owners ln1eresteu
are willing to bear a considerable pof-
tion Of the cost.
After the county road system IS
established the board OF SUPERVISORS
will be directly responsible for the con
dition of all the main Travelled foaus
in the county? No part OF the Tespohs
ibiiitv can be shunted TO the shoulders
of district officials. The supervisors
will have funds 10 pay for ,deVe!opfhs
county system of good roads. TheE
vii, have the services OF an expert
county engineer in beginning a ROAD
IMPROVEMENT program. the assistance
% the state highway COMMISSION o.
experts in planning the improvement
and the aid of the county ehsifse.
aga;n in working them out. If gooo
ROADS results are not delivered by TINS
o-ya,izatiop the public VIII be able 20
locate the responsibility. The reason
obla assumption is that under thls at
ranpanent the main tfaveled roads OF
tbs county will pc, better cared tor
.han ever before.
Incidentally the township foa
not neglected under the ne" Foao "a 80
At the beginning Of every year
township trustees are 10
roads to be dragged during the !ea.'
Also they are 10 appoint supeiin'e
ont 70 be responsible for all the foau
work IN the township. He must i'iane
contracts for dragging the oras ap'o
roads and see that al! dralHase
culyerts and bridges are IN WON ne
order. II the plans or li'e ."
trustees, who also are 10 nave my
Of the county engineer, are not ca y.
ont the responsibility can be located ~
the immediate vicinity Of the 'o"hsh'p
road superintendent. 40.
Critics who have been claiming lna.
the legislature accomplished ho
worth while in enacting the ne" va
,.u may be found in apo!oSetC iiooo
in the course of few years. me Ia"
is no. expected TO get into eooo
ing order before next year. A.'eF t.. :,
new system becomes effective an
tho work done on county
bridges included, will be unoeE 'iie
pervision of the state hlshMas -
ro,ssion planned to measure up 20
Standards that will be in entire accefu
with the most ambitious projects ios
eventually providing the main traVelsn
roacs with hard surfaces. Surely TINS
viii, be worth while from the s'aho-
point of those whose goal Is or1cA -
concrete.