Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-12-08
IOWA ROAD LAW WORKS FINE
Creation Of Commission Fully Justi.
fled by Results.
ELEVEN MILLIONS EXPENDED
Adequate Organization Results in
BETTER Bridges, More Permanent
Roads and Greater Economy
I'm Maintenance.
(From a stAff correepondent. }

DIES MONIES. Ia, Dec. I.-(Speciai.)--
The highway Legislation of the state OF
Iowa and the highway commission
created have both been fully justified by
events of the last two years, The re-
port Of the commission Just filed IL con-
vincing Of this fact
The highway legislation Of the Thirty
fifth general assembly was planned to
form the foundation" Gays the report,
ION which would be builded a sane, prao-
teal structure Of highway administration
for Iowa. It was not expected ct that
time that perfect measure would be
written in its every detail, but the two
years use has proven II 70 be In many
respects model piece OF legislation. Its
strongly written, vital principles are not
obscured by minor details and indefinite
language. and In the last two years not
a single controversy under It's provisions
has reached the ccurts'' ~
Better Results Everywhere.
The net results has been better work
All along the lline-better bridges, more
permanent work, intelligent work,
economy. The greatest problem which
faces the state in the matter OF building
a system OF highways Is that of adequate
must depend largely upon earth roads and
these need constant maintenapce. II IL
therefore important that system OF
maintenance be adopted that will be ef-
ficient The patrol system Is favored,
a system In use In some OF the countries
IN the state with success. For any heav-
ny Travelled road having earth, gravel,
macadam or similar surface. nothing less
than continuous maintenance will pre-
serve the integrity of the surface or con-
serve the original investment. The travel
lng public demands continuous upkeep.
The commission, in its report filed today
with Governor Clarke, strongly urges that
a step be taken toward permanent high
ways BY authority for the formation OF
districts in which may be undertaken the
work Of building permanent roads under
contract, with due regard for the distrIbu-
ton OF benefits as between the property
owners. the counties and the state. In
this way only will II be possible to get at
permanent roads.
Eleven Million Expended.
During the last year the road and bridge
work done In Iowa under supervision OF
the highway commission aggregated
about Ni,o00.00o. OF this s4.0000OO was ex-
pended on the county roads, 100000 on
the township roads, and between $780,
900 and 100000 on the bridges and cui-
verts.
The report viii show that the coat OF
the commission and all its supervision
over the road work Of the state is much
less than the actual saving IN money by
reason OF the economies secured In road
and bridge work. taking into account the
better quality. Yet very large part OF
the work OF the first year and a half
has been Of permanent or preliminary
character and Is such that II will not
have TO be done over again. The county
road system OF 1900 miles has been To-
Gated and mapped. with 1850 miles yet
undecided. The bridge designs prepared
at cost OF E,S6S.2O represent structures
OF estimated cost of sloss.sSOe
Minor Changes Recommended.
The commission recommends a number
OF minor changes In the law. Provision
should be made for altering the county
road system when that Ia found 20 be
necessary. The county road system
should be extended within city limits and
city road tax be levied for work on
these extensions. Officials should be
| SVEN BNNattF pVNCT ONCE removal OF
weeds and brush from highways. ResoIu-
tons OF necessity should be for structures
costing S.Oco or over. instead Of $500. Pou
taxes should be paid IN cash In ali in
stances Permanent road work should be
done on the township roads II should be
possible 70 form drainage districts for
roads
| The situation which faced the commits
! sion AZ the beginning OF this year was
vastly different from that OF year be-
fore. Hostility had disappeared and
county after county turned to the con
struetion OF roads on broad lines. Through
the force Of example in these counties
and by reason OF an aroused public senti-
ment Il was possible 20 make a start even
in the most backward counties in the
state.
The report OF the commission Is the
first report made and II Is a complete
work showing every detail Of the vas,
business transacted.
- a a.