The Dermott news., 1915-04-01

effective has many important points with which the public, the county of ficials and road builders should early become familiar It will be the guid- ing rule in road work in the future, so far as the formation of road im- provement districts is concerned. While it does not repeal any special road district acts or special acts re- tating to particular counties, 1t dis places all other general road statutes, and even in counties where special law applies, the petitioners may come in under the Alexander Act if they believe it is to the best interest of the community
 The main feature of the new laN embrace the manner of forming dis tricts, definition of real property. 2 process of organi3ation and assess meut. method of taking in adjacent territory alter original district is ror,r. ed, proportion of assessed benefits to property value. provision for iesuins bonds, manner of letting contracts. prohibition ot appeals for delay pur- poses. and relation of contractors te district alter lob l. let In many re- spoets the ue,e law. which Is voIuiu. inous affair. differs from the old laa very radically. and is striking for itf pronounced leaning at all times. in fa. vor of the formation of an improve ment district as against the clamor of disgruOtIcd property owners who might incline 10 astt upon an i'm proyemeut merely because it cost them some waHey-
 In this last regard the languasa of tNo act te worthy of reproduction t says,
 "rhis Net zhm1 be Itbera,y con suuea ny tae courts for tae purposes Of aiding and pramaaas the improve meut Of puhlig roads n Araau-a- arf upon tH" triad ef ans case relating ta tho establishment of any district o~ th" co'iaaaan al aal aN hereunder after q dlst-tef=fas beea established hy the eaaHp aaHrt5 the presumption shall br iu favor af tlHs establishment. of the district or fHe collection of the tax"
 The formation aH road improvement districts is bv either of teo plan. 0D. on a peuaon 10 the county coart by nla5orav. H land vale.. acrcasa or number. or ile nrepertsovuers of tho affected district. te1 hy tao aa- plicauou of the county W5er or aHe ten land oWaers W1tma fae proposea district te t#a state highway d.par5 meut for estiuates. map. etc. after which the pfeIeet l. ~ub@1tfed tp the lanG owners of tae district. bt petition. In both cases proper provision |. maGs for tIc publication and court uoarIu,s to determine auaav If the district shall be established All ohiccuous ta the district must he hled in writing and the county court m detrrmiuine the question of sutltcteuc> ot petition CTS, is guided ny general tax record Women may sign tbe petitions for tf~ district Euardmus maF sign for wards and tru~tcre for estates
 "Real property er Hand under the new 'aa is defined a- und trr proveuo0tz thereon. railroads. rI.hte ofvay~ of same. tram-roaA@. etc. aHl all pubic haIldtue
 Fhe county couets order tr r-'o5 li~Hiur 9 d'-trtet is tual and hlnllrr except hv di,eet attack un appeal \o collateral attack ts allowed aut praa erty owners who do not appeal Niful" g. days wave all such rights
 All districts are governed bv lhr.s commjssjoners appointed by the county court and when tho board l. organized It shall secure from rHy state birb1at cusiueer sprciac esti- mates of cost plans. road ma'erja etc unless hN Judgment of the cour ty court. it be deemed advisable to provide a special engineer, who must give Sl.0ud bond and whose plans are. finally. ~Ihiect to approval of the statN highway engineer only county roads or those that may hereafter be ostah. lished as such, may be routed for i'm provement Commissioners may issue notes and borrow money for prelImI- nary work and incidental cNpcnses. such as engiHeeriug. etc. to be covered by later aSseSSmcuts
 After plans are filed by the board with the county court. the latter shall appoint three assessors. who must meet in a0 days and organize aH1 whose assessment of benefits In tue district aEainst the several property ovnors must be rled with the county clerk Nisde~erptious of property or name of ownr do not ,u-alidate a+- scssmeut Atter notice hy pubhca. ton. the county court gives a hearing on the assessments and enters order All objections must ln filed within 10 days to be valid. otherwise court order is binding on assessments.
 Outside lands benefited by the fo~ nation of the district may be taken fin after original district is formed. and road extensions may be made