The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-08-13

form of maintenance is such that
your road, once properly built, shall
be defended. sustained and continued,
80 that it will be indicated in the
eyes of the public long after its build
ers have passed to their reward. Such /
system of maintenance has been
proven not only possible but practical,
and is very similar to that employed |
on our railroads and is commonly |
known on highway work as the ''pa-
troll system" This system was adopt |
ed by the French in the early part |
of the last century and is now in use
all over Europe and in some of the |
progressive states N this country.
As has been stated, continuity and
uniformity are essential to the main
tenance of our translate thorough
fares, and the experiences of other
states has demonstrated that the pa
troll system is the most economical
and efficient means of securing these
results.
At this point would like to ex-
plain that by continuity and conform
fty do not mean that the same type
of surface should be used throughout
the entire length of any road across
the state, but do mean that the sew
eral types of surface, best adapted to
the several sections of the state,
should each be maintained for their
full length, in such manner as to
be kept up to standard efficiency
throughout the entire year.
The practical application of the pa
tro! system to through state roads
would mean that each road would be
divided into sections of convenient
length, depending on traffic condi-
! tons, but usually of about ten miles
each, and each section to be under the
care of patrolman. The patrolman
, would be provided with a horse and
, wagon and the necessary small tools,
, and he would be expected to put in
every working day going over his sec
{ tion, opening drains, repairing small
: defects and adding new material to
! the surface where needed.
! The stone, clay, sand, or other ma
: tcrial required for repairing the sur
face should be stacked along the road
in piles, say one-half mile apart.
9 On gravel, mari and sandclay roaGs
: the patrolman should be furnished
. with a log-drag, and he should be au-
), thorized to hire an extra horse to
9 hitch beside the one furnished him
d whenever necessary to drag any part
4 of his section. He should requisitior
: all of his supplies through the division
= engineer having supervision over his
d work, and he should have the privilege
d of employing help only in case Of
n floods, washouts, etc.
j. Work, such as road oiling and the
Is delivery of material to the stock piles
r would, of course, have to be handled
by contract, but the patrolman SHOULD
# do all other necessary work on hi
10 section.
al The patrolman should be under tn,
al supervision of division engineer
lie who should be responsible for tn,
re efficiency of the patrolman and TO
rs furnishing him with necessary ma
terisl for the maintenance of his sec
err ton. The division engineer should b
ce required to keep strict and accurat
i'd account of the cost of maintenance o.
e. each one of the sections under hi
to supervision. His territory should
be so arranged that he could inspect eac
patrolman's section at least twice
n month and give him necessary in
is structions and see that he is provide
with tools and materials for keepin
. his section in proper condition.
y, The division engineer should repol
directly to the state road department
anu should approve all pay rolls an
bills for his division, and be held re
sponsible for the cost and quality {
all work done in same.
in short, a state maintenance sys
tenn should be thoroughly organize
and under the direction of traine
and experienced men, and the owe,
head cost should be kept as low as
compatible with efficiency.
A county maintenance system mu'
provide for the upkeep of the loo
or market roads radiating out fro
the towns and shipping points, ar
also for the lateral or neighborhoc
roads connecting with them.
Such a system of roads will
found to carry q traffic varying wild
ly as to character and volume.
Near the TOWNS v-bare +ba %rofeic