Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-01-23
SHORT COURSE IN GOOD ROADS
LARGELY ATTENDED At
NEW HAMPTON.
SENATOR WALLAcE.H
ARNEY PRINCIPAL SPEAKER
Marshall County Legislator Urged
Bonding For Improvement Of High
ways-W. n. Root, District Engineer;
Of Mason City, Represents State
Highway Commission.

New Hampton, Jan. pa Short
Course in Good Roads" is a good de-
scription Of the meeting held at the
Chickasaw county court at New Hamp-
ton yesterday afternoon. The room:
was packed with eager listeners VIII }
found the excellent program highly in
/ structive
Mr.. Larson introduced W. H. Root,
district engineer from Mason City,
who was sent here to represent the
state highway commission, none Of
whom was able to come at this date.
Mr.. Root took for his theme, The Pub
lie Highway and the New Law" He
explained definitely the scope of coun-
ty and township jurisdiction over
roads, and drew the dividing line very
plainly. For all permanent work the
county engineer must furnish the
plans, but for all repair work the town.
ship trustees have the authority to go
ahead according to their own judg-
ment. He added:
The county engineer is your man.
paid by the county. and it will not do
any harm to consult him on any doubt
full matters. But unless you do not have
at least 500 to spend to the mile. do
not attempt any permanent work on
your township roads,"
Since So per cent of all the mileage
is left in the hands Of the township
trustees, Mr.. Root thinks it very nee
essary that capable men be found for
the place and instructed carefully as to
their duties.
Necessary Elements For Good Roads.
Among the necessary elements for
the making Of good roads, he consid-
ers: Good drainage, including the lay
ing or six-inch tile, at the proper depth,
and little within the ditch line; prop
er surface dressing, reducing all grades
to at least per cent rise, per cent
being better; correct use Of the blade
scraper so as to eliminate the piling
Of the sod in the middle Of the road
a good back slope, and reliable men
under contract to drag the roads, at
the proper time, riding a heavy drag,
and using the shovel where necessary.
He explained that trustees are no long
er limited to the price for this drag
gins but can pay enough to insure good
work. In closing he said:
"One hill determines the size Of the
load you can draw, so cut down your
grades on Your main market roads and
remember, that the purpose Of the new
law is not to cause You unnecessary
bother, but to make better roads for
Your own benefit"
Arney Makes Principal Address.
The main address Of the afternoon
was made by Senator Wallace H. Ar
ney OF Marshalltown. 1t was earnest
and scholarly, and contained much food
for thought. In beginning, he sum-
married. the innumerable things of
WAlch Iowa can boast, and confessed
with shame of the two things of which
she ought to be ashamed-the present
condition of her public highways and
her rural schools. Thruout his talk he
constantly referred to the very close
relation which these two bear to each
other. connection which is generally
overlooked. Sc said:
We must have fewer, better graded
rural schools, and by coed roads we
can bring the schools to the country
instead Of taking the children to
town"
Senator Arney is very proud Of Iowa's
new road law even tho he believes II ia
somewhat in advance Of public senti-
ment. An amusing portion of the SEN
ator's talk was his personal experience
as a road trustee, after his return from
the legislature. He was handicapped
by not being able to buy adequate ma
chinery, and by not being able to finish
Joo he started. because 1t belonged
to a neighboring township. He con-
Guided that he would not be township
trustee again for s1.o0O,oOO. He called
the farmers attention to the fact that
they have been selfish In that they have
accepted financial aid from town people
for country roads, and let town people
build their paved streets at their own
expense. He advocated the use Of
broad tires because they improve roads
and do not damage them.
Pleads For Bond Issue.
In closing. Senator Arney made