The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-19
ROAD suiLr4Ne RULES
Advice Offered By National Chamber
o. Commerce

ADVICE Oncrco ~ National Chamber
Of Commerce
Highway authorities may reconcile
the demands OF auiomohilists and
business men for permanen. intercity
highways and OF farmers for lmproy-
ed tributary roads with the objection
OF taxpayers 70 increased road taxes
By observing the following rules. de-
clares the National Automobile Cham
ber OF Commerce. after a study OF the
opinion OF prominent highway authori-
ties:
Take a census OF traffic 10 ascer-
tain the number and kinds OF vehic-
les using the State roads al different
points.
Build brick. concrete or other dur
able roads wherever there is much
heavy teamlng. motor trucking and
automobile driving.
Such roads should be built where
ever the cost OF property maintaining
any other kind would amount To
more in twenty-five years than the
cost OF maintaining the durable roads
plus the excess.
Issue fifteen year TO twenty-five
year bonds 10 pay for permanent
work II sufficient funds are not avail
able. II is sound economic policy TO
raise money with bonds for all road
work that viii outlive the term Of the
bonds.
Pay out OF current funds provided
by general taxation and assessment
the cost OF surfacing with any mater
ial that is not as durable as brick or
concrete.
Make gravel roads where traffic is
comparatively light and there is not
much automobile travel. first grading
and draining the foundation thorough
".
Extend the mileage of permanent
highways with money saved by build
ing gravel roads instead OF macadam
roads.
Confne construc ion as much as
possible to durable roads and gravel
roads so that the total cost will not
exceed that Of an equal mileage Of
macadam roads nor increase the
Safe or county expenditure.
Use quartz, shells. burnt clay or a
mixture of sand and clay where gray
el ia not readily obtainable. They are
all good substitutes
Grade and drain the earth roads
and insist upon having them dragged
in spring and autumn. If necessary,
get passed drag law similar to
those In Iowa and Ohio. Drag the
gravel roads also in spring and au-
tumn and apply new gravel to ruts
and depressions.
Concentrate the expenditure of
State funds on the Improvement and
maintenance OF intercity and trunk
lines because they carry about eighty
per cent OF the total traffic.
Instead of depending for road
funds upon uncertain appropriations
by Legislature. provide by law for an
annual levy on all taxable property.
Work convicts on the roads and in
the production OF road materials,
thereby cutting down the labor cost.
Have the State or county acquire
or lease gravel and sand pits and
install modern excavating. sitting
and washing machinery to reduce the
cost Of materials.
Select the most suitable materials
nearest the roads to be improved. re-
membering that haulage is large
item of expense
Cali for bids on long streets or big
mileages OF road in one locality to be
built at one time, thus enabling con-
tractors to use motor truck o trac-
tors for hauling and other special la
Dor and time saving machinery.
Test all mate 'ials before use and
see that the contractors live up to
specifications. Also make certain
that the most successful methods are
followed in building brick and con
crete roads.