The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-01-10
spirited citizens of the county and already actual con-
! tructiOn hoat take MIA

Okmulgee is present organizing and other counties
seeking specific information regarding the project which
follows That the senior boys and girls of the high school
organize themselves into good roads and civic Improvement
associations and the cooperation OF the czens OF
their communities Under the guidance of an engineer the
boys with transit and level lay out the road proposed to be
improved setting the grade stakes and determining 1he sizes
the necessary cuvers The engineer gives practical talks
and lessons covering drainage etc The material nee
essay for the demonstration is assembled prior to the date
set for actual work when the road laid out is built by vou
labor do not feel that it necessary for me to dwell
the practical and educational good derived from such
project and leave to the legislature to make such provision
the state In this connection might that other
tons of the United States have already taken up this matter
and the national government has Installed JUNIOR depart
men its good roads department. but left for Okla
homa to be the pioneer in the movement
Federal Aid
Your State Highway Commissioner invited and urged
to attend conference in Washington of state highway oil
cas which, without cost to the state he did Although the
conference in executive session ana some very imPo
an probable federal road legislation discussed do not 1ee
all others attendance when that the prospect for i'm
mediate action by Congress good and that every state IN
at no great distance 1t will be necessary however for
all states desiring such federal aid as seems imminent TO pro
dent to all the conference that the federal government
would only aid permanent improvement In order to secure
put up money and show exactly how the to be spent
In other words money will be granted by the government
unless is for work which has been properly laid out by
competent engineers and result in properly graded and
drained roads when completed The Will act IN
mens only leaving the various states to o1caly take care
of their own units ,..
law that will the gamu of the courts be passed The old
road district law a%a
reenacted and would of nestmable value to the
desired them and at the time place within the reach
every community to meet financial condition
imposed by the government to secure federal aid
Standard Railway Crossings.
With view to promoting the safety first movement,
which has spread to the uermos of the nation the
Dg 1 M al whch has give am
of not than veper cent grade with fifteen feet per
of rails The bulletin issued Sept l, 1914 calls for perma
roadways the right of owned by the railroads.
The Corporation Commission has and ndored the bull
etn and railroads. through the Corporation Commission
has agreed cooperate with all parties concerned 10 nave
Exhibit marked STANDARD Railroad Crossings" will amply
illustrate the intent of the bulletin and commend for the
consideration of your honorable body
This bulletin has been mailed to all county commissioners,
and others interested in the good roads movement
The County Unit
heartily commend to attention the results which
apparent in those counties under the county unit in
stead of the township unit hitherto. In table marked
have charge of the road fund for the entire county that it
has accomplished much than in other Apart from
the fact that more money spent the roads and less
in salaries has developed that each commissioner has en-
deavored to satisfy his district whole taking care OF the
important main horoughfares leading to the various trading
AS for the expenditure of the money beg to call
attention to the fact that according to reports in this depart
Levies of
County. townships. Roads. Culverts Salaries
Beckham .s15,64Aa2 $2ss7Ss $6751OO $4O4OOO
Custer .......,..... 3O,SS9OO 1O532OO 100000 43470O
Logan ......... 29,51666 7657.9O 13,644OO 6661.OO
The above operated by townships.
Cleveland ...... 16,45OOO $1,000 $4,000 10000
Operated by county commissioners
This comparison is made without prejudice. An invesi-
cation other counties be quickly and mex
pensvey made the result of which will show that the old
antouated method of working the roads under township
administration has place in progressive state as
Oklahoma
Convict Labor.
Several demands been made the highway depart
ment this past for aid convict labor but
due lack specific legislation the subject the prison
board of control has hesated grant any such requests
save Pburg County where the convicts could have direct
supervision penitenary officials In this county some
efficient been done by the convc but no detailed
report has yet reached this department.
law providing for convict labor on the highways OF the
state would with popular approval Your Commissioner
HphMays exhaustive study Of this question