Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1914-04-17
THF UTAH STATE
ROAD COMMISSION
Its Organization and Some of its
Important Accomplishments
for the State.
A MOST THOROUGH AND
COMPREHENSIVE CORPS
Organized in 1909, il Has Achieved
Wonderful Results in the Matter
of Good Roads.

No problem of nationwide impor-
lance engaging the attention of the
American people in recent years has
been given quite that attentive and
thoughtful consideration that has
been accorded the good roads problem.
The demands on the public highways
In caring for an ever-increasing traffic
have awakened keenest interest in all
parts of the United States and out of
the necessity for improved roads there
has developed a great movement to-
ward scientific handling of problem
that in this new world has heretofore
largely cared for itself. So strong is
the good roads sentiment that what a
few years since would have been term
ed an ideal dream is today an actu-
ality-a movement is partially fin
anced and now we'll under way for
the establishment Of a great ocean-to-
ocean highway. Prairies, deserts,
mountain passes, rivers and washes
are to be made passable in order that
highway transportation may be rem
dered speedy and comfortable.
With an area of $4,000 square miles
and population of less than 100000,
scattered over the entire state-in
the mountains, in the valleys and on
the deserts, in the cities, in the coun-
try, in the mining camps and on the
remote ranches; with one county seat
$50 miles from railroad, and with a
half dozen others more than so miles
from the railroad, the State of Utah
faced, in its efforts to improve the
roads, most trying problem.
That the work of the state road
development, stupendous as it APP
peared to be, might be launched on
comprehensive lines, that it might be
prosecuted in scientific, systematic
manner, the legislature Of 1909 set
aside the precedent of former legis-
lative bodies in making small -appro-
priations to the several counties of
the state for local expenditure and i'm
provement, and providing for the Gre
alton of a state road commission and
the establishment of state road sys-
tenn.
The State Road Commission, organ
lied in 1909, consists of five members,
viz: The Governor, the State Treas
urer, the State Engineer, professor
from the University of Utah and one
from the Agricultural College. These
two latter men are professors of engi-
neering or of some of the closely allied
sciences.
Under the law the State Road Com
mission selects and designates the
roads which comprise the system of
State roads. 1t has direct charge of
the expenditure of all the funds a
valuable for use on State roads. 1t not
only furnishes plans and specifica-
tions for the construction of State
roads, but also for County roads on
application of the various County
Commissioners.
The Commission appoints an engi-
hNti VIM avs lbo dilCNbiOu diiu
who is allowed such assistance as is
necessary to execute the orders of the
Commission. Sufficient clerical force
is employed to transact the business
incident to the work.
In the office Of the State Road Com
mission is kept all records, maps, pro-
files and papers relative to State
Roads and the receipt and expendi-
ture Of all funds used in their con-
struction. A classified cost system
has been inaugurated by means of
which the cost of the various types of
roads and structures is easily avail
able.
In each County, one or more State
Agents are appointed by the Commits
sion, who act as construction fore
men under the direction of the engi-
neer. These men are paid per diem
for the time spent in the service of
the Commission.
The law provides for the use of con
Wet labor on State roads, the convicts
being under the control and supervi
sion of the State Road Commission
and the State Board of Correction.
Since engaging in highway work, the
convicts have been located in Box
Elder, Davis and Washington coun.
ties, and to date service equal to the
labor of one man for $4,000 days has
been rendered the state by convicts.
The Legislature of 1913 appointed
to each County from the general fund
the sum of $3,6OO.00 for road pur-
poses. Counties having an assessed
valuation of over $4,000,000.00 dupli-
cate the appropriation made by the
State. Counties having an assessed
valuation of more than S2,OOO,O00.OO
duplicate one-half Of the amount APP
propriated by the State, and Counties
having an assessed valuation Of less