The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-01-10

Commissioner of Highways
During the last two years the work the highways and
bridges of has been distinct Improvement on any
counties and the townships has approximately been the same
between three and four millions of dollars for roads and
brgebut the administration of the funds has been better
but still far beneath the standard the state deserves
rere are considerable esS towpships as many counties
have through legislation enacted at the last session OF the
legislature become the unit in road work and IN these cou
effective work has been done, due 10
policy of the commissioners who in FAR as possible nave
to use hf fo to
rather than to spend the money all over the county ne all
April shower which does not eectualy even lay the dust
Bridges Built.
There has been distinct Improvement IN many c0untes
bridge construction The cheap inferior recs OF the un
bridge gang in instances giving place TO suosana
structures of concrete or steel
Every of the legislature knows how cheap bridges
have been counties at exOrbant prices
regard for state standards for even standards OF
safety Nearly eight millions of dollars has been spent 1or
bridges alone since statehood and this enormous
gone limited number of concerns On account
sion made for the compulsory checking up by competent
engineer of this work. is safe to say that at least one
There is every indication limited number of bridge
have the state divided up into territory IN whch
is always nearly always the lowest successful
respectfully request that the records of Oklahoma ma
County be investigated together with other county in the
and the astounding fact will be revealed that ne
State Highway Department began its crusade against
bridges and cuve concern secured every oriose con-
tract o,,, l+ f+ou ho,5nc,
Oklahoma
spent than quarter OF million dollars or 9roges
always with the decided to put steel IN COM
petition with concrete construction with the result that pra
tcay no steel bridges been built while fifteen concrete
bridges been erected and nine others are to be built TINS
the contract having been et More IMAM one hundred
The State of Kansas provides that wherever concrete
steel that it must be done. The depreciation on on steel
bridge about cent in other words 5000 bridge
costs additional five thousand dollars to keep up IN twenty
years. On the other hand concrete bridge, properly
constructed will last for without any maintenance get
According to table herewith it will be that in the state
this past ar S on e spen n @
bridges nsgncant In this plans and sPee
are file, or should be in every county seat
Volunteer Road Work
Elsewhere in this report will be found detailed report OF
volunteer work under the direction of the Department
of Highways. In this connection beg to express the hope
will be provided for the Department OF Highways
to cover the expense of the engineer in all future work OF
this kind is the with the national government and
other states provision made that the state could
contribute oneha the of mile of demonstration
road wherever community would contribute the other
movement for real permanent highways by securing mile
of such work The cost of this work would OF course vary
demonstrate on say the burden of the cost
would be great ranging from less than five hundred dol
lars properly graded and drained dirt road to five thousand
dollars for modern permanent hardsurfaced road
The Educational Mile Project.
beg call special attention to the educational mile OF
road" project which been nauguated by the Depart
ment of Highways, and launched successfully with the
cooperation State Superintendent of Instruction Wilson
and his associates This idea launched for the purpose
of getting the students OF the various hgh schools ana
the girls interested in road improvement and civic i'm
provement. -
Its initial demonstration took place at Seminole County
late this fall with result that due to the of the
bows and girls had charge of all arrangements nearly
mile road built and three everlasting culverts
structed value of this work. made from careful es
mate is S4OO. State Senator Chase from that dis
trict was present demonstration, and will
cheerfuy give his opinion to the value of the work. while
the Hon. Luther Harrison member of the lower house. will
also testify to the taken generally the results
attained. .. c., .
Seveny-fve school districts in Stephens County at
present competing prizes being offered by the public