Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-07-15
PATROL SYSTEM
FOR ROAD REPAIRS
IContinued From First Page. ]

under the County uperintendents.
They will be required to make out a
daily report OF the number OF hours
they work and these reports will be
collected by the County Superintend-
ents who will make out payrolls for
the patrol men. AS the County Sup
erintendents have been supplied with
light roadsters, 1t will be possible for
them to keep in close touch with these
patrol men on the State Highways and
to ascertain whether or not the work
Is being done properly.
Each patrol man will be supplied
with tools and equipment necessary
for his work and each one will have
. small red flag which he will be re-
quired to place in a conspicuous posi-
tion on the road when, for any reason,
he is required to leave the roadside
during working hours. Hence. either
the presence of the patrol man ct work
or of his flag, indicating temporary
absence, will be noticeable during the
working hours.
Care In Selections
Great care is being exercised in the
selecting of these patrol men and
State Highway Commissioner Cum
ningham is determined to have none
but sober, honest and industrious men
in these responsible positions. If ii
is found that the patrol men are
neglecting their work, instant dis
missal will follow.
System of Work
The manner in which the care
takers will work is as follows:
Along the side of the highway at
frequent intervals will be placed small
piles of stone chips and gravel, which
will be used in patching holes as they
are found in the roadway. Barrels, or
drums, of bituminous material, con-
tanning approximately 10 gallons each,
will be placed at intervals of from
one-fourth to one-third of mile
taker finds spot in the road which
shows signs of wear, he will place the
stones and bituminous material on it,
tamping 1t down carefully and MAX
ing the surface of the road smooth and
even. The caretaker also will look
after the edges of. the road and will
keep the berms clear of weeds and
grass and will protect the shoulders Of
the road to prevent water from getting
underneath. Each patrol man will be
supplied with the following outfit: A
small combination melting and pour
ing pot on wheels, hand-pouring pot,
an asphalt tamper, a wheel-barrow, a
push brush, pick, a short-handled
and a long-handled shovel; scythe,
snathe, mattock, rake, and a
brush hook
AS these patrol men will be under
the constant watch of the County Sup
erintendent, it will be necessary for
them to devote their entire time and
attention to the territory to which
they are assigned. 1t is the intention,
ultimately, that no man shall have
more than six miles of roadway to
patrol and this only in sections where
the character of the road is such that
he can cover it easily and conveniently
in day. In mountainous districts
and in places where peculiar forma-
tions make the care of the road more
onerous, the patrol distance will be
diminished.
List of Duties
The following list of the general
duties of the patrol men has been
prepared by the State Highway De-
partment and each man as he is en-
gagged will be furnished with copy
of it and will have his duties explained
to him in detail,
Keep drains and bitches open at all
times.
Special attention must be given to
defects in planking and condition of
bridge floors.
Repair all defects in the surface Of
the road, maintaining same in a true
and even condition.
Repair and whitewash guard rails.
Provide protection and red lights in
case of food washouts, or other
emergency conditions.
Remove brush from along the sides
of the road, giving special attention
to this condition at curves, approaches
to railroad crossings, bridges, cross
roads, etc.
road trimmed up, in that the surface
water may be discharged freely from
the road surface to the side bitches.
Remove all advertising signs from
within the legal limits of the high
way.
Paint and keep in first class con-
dition all Department Direction and
Warning Signs.
Inspect culverts. head-walls, crib
bing, retaining walls, ETC., and report
defects Immediately to the Superin-
tendent.
Whitewash large rocks and the
bases of poles on narrow sections of
highway and at sharp curves, (Spring
and FalD; poles to be whitewashed to
a height of six feet above ground.
All equipment tools, and material
placed in the charge of each caretaker
must be accounted for by him at all
times. and tools and equipment kept
in thorough repair
Economic and workmanlike results
will be the most important factor
recognized by the Department.
AIIenIlOn must De given 10 the en-
tire section allotted to the caretaker,
and work not confined to special and
convenient portions.
Daily Report Postal Card must be
mailed every evening to the Super
intendent
When working on the road, Care
taker must have flag, which will be
provided, displayed at all times near
where work is being performed.
When conditions require additional
help, team hire, or material of any
character, permission must be first Sc
cured from the superintendent.
All additional help and team hire
must be carried on Foreman's Daily
Report Form, together with regular
pay roll form, etc.
All bills for material, etc, In
amounts less than $1,000 must be COW
cred by Superintendent's Purchase
Order; large amounts by requisition OF
superintendent and Department Pur-
chase Order
Caretakers are to be paid an hourly
rate, and full value in service will be
exacted for every dollar expended.
Caretakers must be courteous and
considerate of the interests of the
public at all times, and conduct them
selves in a manner becoming repre-
sentatives of the Commonwealth.
Sobriety, honesty, industry, good
character. and ability are the essen
tials required. and a failing in any OF
these will be met by dismissal.
The Patrol System for the mainten'
anee of highways is new in Pennsyl
wanna, but has been tried with great
success in other States. Chief En-
IL T.. 1fs t. I1a