The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1915-05-07
maintenance OF
UN|MPROvED ROADS

There are approximately 10000
miles of unimproved roads in the
state. These are other than inter-
county and main market roads They
mark the township lines or traverse
the counties here and there, but final Y
lead to the direct roads in the inter-
county system. The state has widely
exercised its authority in the better
ment of roads by providing that inter
county highway system enacted in
clude the main travelled routes that
lead to the populous centers, cities,
villages and the like. To the counties
and separate townships the state has
left the improvement Of the greater
portion Of road mileage in the common
wealth. This is wise for the state,
improving the main highways which
carry approximately twenty-five per-
cent of our commerce and travel, is af-
fording an outlet for the remaining
network of lesser roads. ~
But to insure this system of roads
proper treatment, and to put it in
condition to be Travelled nine to twelve
months "a year, and at small expense,
the state has enacted what is called
the "Act to Provide for the Dragging
of the Public Roads Of the State.
This bill drafted and urged by the
Ohio Good Roads Federation, was
passed on April II, 1913, and went in
to effect January 1, 1914. Ia
The salient features of thi- law are:
gAtthe first meeting in January of the
township trustees in any county one
Of their number shall be designated as
dragging superintendent; he shall be
paid compensation not to exceed $50
year; he shall divide the graveled
and earth roads of the township into
dragging districts; these must be des4
ignated by separate numbers and not
more than six miles of roads shall be
put up in any one district The same
must be recorded with the township
clerk; the superintendent shall from
time to time designate what districts
shall be dragged; suitable road drags
shall be furnished by the trustees,
which shall be paid for out ofytcwn-
ship funds; the superintendent. shall
adopt a suitable form of notice to be
given each person contracted with to
drag roads, with return cards. !
All claims for dragging shall be re-
ported to the township trustees, who
shall at their meetings in June and
December, pay all claims for dragging
that have been approved by the super
intendent; the sum shall not exceed
fifty cents per mile for each mile
travelled while dragging; the price for
dragging be fixed for the year each
January; record shall be kept by the
superintendent Of all roads dragged;
work for the year must be contracted
for on or before the 18th day Of Feb
ruary each year.
Itmight be stated that the law is
made imperative. The language in
Section 4. of the Dragging Law is as
follows:
1Any violation Of the provisions Of
this act by the Dragging Superinten-
dent, or any person or persons, who
may be required under contract to
drag township roads, or neglect on the
part Of any township trustees to sci
aside the funds required by this act
shall, on conviction thereof, be fineC
not less than tenadollars for the first
offense, and, for each subsequent Of
fense, shall be fined not less thar
twenty-five dollars" II
The 10000 miles Of unimproye'
roads in Ohio can be put in propel
condition by following the law and th'
instructions given. If the TOWNSHIP
trustees will be as diligent in thei
efforts to see that the road dragginl
law is followed and enforced to the let
ter as the state Is in furthering tn
improvement Of the inter-cOunty sys
tenn, all Of the unimproved roads wil
have been put in proper condition b
the time the OMnionwtalth he's com
pleted the Improvement Of the $50
miles IA the inter-county chain
The building Of the inter-count,
system of highways with hard
smooth surface, and the dragging b
earth roads, win place Ohio ltc n