South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-17
Specifications for Lincoln Road
Through st. Joseph County
viii be Changed to Permit
Construction.
GRAVEL IS PROPOSED
FOR SIDES OF ROAD
May Cut Width of Concrete Bed
and Halve CoSt-COmmittee
Will Assist Viewers in Work
on Specifications.

conference between officials of the
Linccln Highway association, the
board Of county commissioners and
others interested in the proposed road,
held Wednesday, morning in the COM
missiOners' room, resulted in returning
the original specifications for the high
way through St Joseph county TO the
viewers. with the orders that they be
revised TO reduce the cost of construc-
tiOn.
II was also decided to select a COM
mittee 10 work with the viewers. This
committee will probably be composed
of engineers and attorneys who will
advise the viewers as the work of re-
vising the specifications progresses.
Carl q. Fisher. OF Indianapolis. own
CT of the motor speedway and a prom
inent member of the Lincoln Highway
association. Charles BOOkwalter, for
mer mayor of indianapolis, G. d.
Frank engineer for the Lincoln High
way association, William 5. Gilbreath,
secretary OF the Hoosier Motor club,
VI. l. Williams, local representative Of
the highway association, and a number
Of attorneys and others spoke before
the commissioners who have found
that in some of the townships in St.
Joseph county it would be impossible
10 construct the highway as planned,
because of a lack of funds and in
ability TO go above a certain bond
limit
Can Trim Costs.
According TO Mr.. Fisher and Mr..
Frank. the viewers n making the Spe-
ciiications for the highway in this
county have planned upon the best OBJ
tainable, but that by trimming these
specifications it viii be possible TO re-
duce tho cost of the road to a mini
mum and permit its construction.
The original specifications. which
which were voted upon at the recent
election. call for a concrete road 8
feet wide but il is probable that when
revised but l. or 10 feet Of concrete
will he laid and gravel side bed will
De made. This is as good "A method
as can be found according To those
who are familiar with road cOnstruc-
ton. while it is estimated that the eX-
pense in this county can be reduced
from almost $500. 600 To 500, ,0OO, by a
revision of the specifications
lt is probable that the Lincoln
Highway association will be represent
ed on the committee which will assist
the viewers in revising the specifica-
tiOns for the highway. Many sugges-
tions were offered the commissioners
by those who are familiar with the
construction OF the Lincoln highway In
other states. as TO the best methods TO
be used in building the road through
this county.
Might Get Assistance.
IL is thought that by a revision OF
the specifications German township
viii be able to pay its full share for
its three miles of road The bond
limit for German township is $40. .0OO-
At this time the township has but S1S,-
coo leeway while under the original
specifications il would cost about S32,-
OOO TO construct the three miles OF
road. Mr.. Fisher stated that he be-
lieved the Highway association would
=, -, i'm
possible to care for the matter locally.
In addition 20 taking up the matter
Of the construction of the Lincoln
highway through this county, the In
dianapOiis men are I'm South Bend in
the interest of the plan TO build di-
rect road from the state capital to
south Bend. 1t is planned 10 have
one dav set apart during the earlier
part OF September when all citizens
along the proposed route Will COM
bine forces i'm repairing the highway.
II has not been decided as yet what
route will be used. but the Michleah
road appears the most favorable
Want Direct Route.
The Hoosier Motor club OF Indian
apolis. merchants, manufacturers ana
others in the state capital ana along
the route are supporting the move
ment for making direct road 10 IN
dianapolfs. Mr. GilOraith, secretary
or the fOoSleI -AoloI Siuhs SNeNNN
morning that the people OF centraI
Indiana are unable To reach the lake
country in this vicinity because OF
poor roads z-d that they are anxious
for the construction OF good hign- ,
way. Re also pointed out the adVan- 7
taRes TO be derived from the road by
residents OF northern Indiana, stating
that the motorists and others using
the road spend much money and that
10 would open up the country for tho
sale OF desirable real estate.