Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-01-09
GOOD ROADS
IN CALIFORNIA
What Has Been Accomplished There Is
Told by Member of State
Highway Commission.
PURCHASE OF MATERIAL AT
Low PRICE VERY IMPORTANT
Type of Material Used, Method of
Apportionment and Cost per
Mile for Construction.
BY CHARLES D. R1ANEY

i ID SIlAu1IbD u. bhAN64
Member California Highway Commits
sion.
At the outset the Commission was
confronted with the fact that 100000
O00 to $5O,OCO,0OO would be required to
construct complete system of high,
class roads "with a durable tvpe of
pavement. California is over five
times the size of New York, and in pro-
portion to size the good roads appro-
priation of this state is less than one
twentieth of that of New York.
When the members OF the Highway
Commission travelled all the lines of
least resistance between Oregon and
Mexico, trips which covered more than
$500 miles Of possible routes, they re.
allied the Importance of this problem.
As result they succeeded in making
savings of more than $10,000000 with
out sacrificing construction, and are
really giving the state $2S,O00,OOO worth
of improved highway for the $4,000, 900
appropriated. 1t is of interest to know
just how this additional $10,OOO,OOO was
saved:
First, by emitting construction of any
port Of the state highways inside the
boundaries of incorporated cities. This
is in harmony with the action of other
states, avoids an unusual cost which
sometimes amounts to 100000 mile
and eliminates the important problem
of compelling cities to relinquish iuris-
diction over some of their streets and
the public utilities thereon. This effects
saving of at least $3,OOO,0OO.
Second, 10y asking the counties to
provide all necessary rights of way and
bridges. These rights of way and the
bridges would naturally be provided by
the counties for their cwn local devel.
opment, benCe it is entirely logical to
ask this provision of them The plan
has been carried out in all counties
where construction is under way, saw
ing the state fully $4,OO0,000.
Purchase of Material.
Third, by the purchase of road mate.
rials, such as rock, cement and asphal-
tic oil, at much lower prices than the
contractors have paid. The state can
pay cash for very large purchases, stim-
ulate the demand from cities and coun.
ties and create steady market through
dull times-all Of which induced the
manufacturers to make low prices. The
discounts ranged from 25 to 45 per cent.
For instance, thousands of tons of
crushed rock have been bought for 40
cents a ton, where counties and con.
tractors have formerly paid 80 cents
to $l.lO for the same material. Cement
has been purchased at $l.1S to $l.3O a
barrel, where many counties, cities and
contractors have been paying from 81. 80
to $2,40 a barrel.
The state can thus furnish material
to contractors at these low prices, re.
moving the necessity on the part Of the
contractor of furnishing capital or
credit for 100000 to 100000 worn of
material upon each contract. This re.
suited in markedly lower bids and an
Increased number Of good contractors
who can honestly bid on contracts. In.
directly, therefore, il had the effect
Of preventing any contractors combi
nation on the highway contracts. This
saving Of the cost Of materials going
into the construction Of the highways
may be figured conservatively at So,
100000.
Fourth, by securing from the South
orn Pacific, SAINT Fe, Western Pacific
and other railroads Of the state half
rates on hauling all materials and ma.
chinery for the construction Of the
highways, Tho railroads have complied
with this request OF the Highway Com.
mission because they realize that no
one thing would do more TO develop
the state quickly, and thus increase
their revenues from freight and passeu.
gcr traffic, than would the early com.
plction of an efficient state highway
system in the state of California We
estimate that these savings in freight
win amount to moro than $l,000,000,
Subscriptions for Bonds.
A saving Of an entirely different sort
was effected when, in October, 1919,
tho market for low'rate bonds ceased
after $9,l00,000 worth Of California
state Highway bonds had been sold
The burden was then laid upon the
Highway Commission either Of aban.
doniug the continuance Of the work or
Of arranging for the placing Of the
bonds, One Of the most remarkable
financial results ever obtained in any
state was secured through the hRrty
support and cooperation Of the vari.
Gus counties, The Highway Commission