Mexico weekly ledger., 1916-03-16
SAYS AUDRAIN
BEHIND in ROAD WORK

Audrain county is not keeping in
pace with the remainder Of this sec
ton Of Missouri in the good roads
movement according TO a state
ment made Friday evening at the
Commercial Club weekly dinner by
State Highway Commissioner Frank
Buffum. Mr.. Buffum outlined what
he thought should be done in this
country to get better road results at
once and draw motor traffic through
this section.
mr.. Bufum believes an ounce Of
truth is better than a pound Of salve
and to that end was frank and open
in his criticism. He said the road
~oyerseer system did not result in the
benefits It should and. the work done
under this arrangement could be more
efficiently accomplished il the county
would invest in two large traction out
fits. Had Audrain possessed such
equipment when he went into Office
by this time every road in the county
would have been in first class shape
and the cost of maintenance reduced
to such an extent as to build many
more permanent culverts than are
now being installed.
He announced the Blue Book route
had been changed to the Golden Belt
Route which starts in Western Col
orado and continues through Kansas,
Missouri, Illinois and Indiana east
ward making the shortest and most
direct cross-continent route yet on the
road map. He stated it was a better
route than the Old Trails.
If we could not afford to rock all our
roads, especially the highway, he sug-
gested they be oiled. He also urged
the widening Of the roads and said it
could be done very easily If the proper
interest were taken and the farmers
seen.
Mr.. Buffum said the road from Shell
bina through Paris and this city to
Fulton and Jefferson City and thence
to Mammoth Springs, Ark, was one
which had received little attention at
this end and which would soon be a
most important motor highway il
given the proper improvements. The
Southern end Of this route is already
in splendid condition and attracting
much touring.
In the matter Of concrete roads he
suggested as 95 per cent of the time
only one vehicle wa on the road that
a 10 foot width, with a gravel abut-
ment would be sufficient and cut the
cost Of $4,000 d mile for 16 foot con-
crete so it would almost equal hat
Of our present macadam roads.
G. G. Cooman, engineer for the
Portland Cement Association spoke on
the uses of cement on public roads,
THE Portland Cement Association
gives their services free, and was or
!. ganiz to protect users of cement
from the improper uses Of cement and
inferior grades.
|. A. T. Pennington Of the STANDARD
!. Oil Company, who was asked to speak
on the subject Of asphaltum-oilet
roads, stated that a 15-foot road on
mile in length at the present price O
oil, would coust about $625 per mile
This would include the labor in build
ing, and the oil and su~rfacing ant
grading an ordinary road, such as We
have in and around Mexico.
There has been some talk Of oilinl
: with asphaltum-oiI all or part Of thu
boulevard, from jefferson street Il
! the Pease farm about tx mile
For persons living on this street, TIL
club will lend its aid in getting thi
= improvement. The expense would b
divided ps nearly as possible SO tina
the cost Of it would be paid by tn
= nropertv owners on both sides Of TIL
street.
The figures given above provide TO
the application Of three-fourths Of
gallon OF oil to the square yard, to b
!, put on in the spring, followed by one
" fourth of a gallon per square yard, i
the fall. This amount Of oil should b
!. put on for two years, and thereafte
y one-fourth Of a gallon per year wi
be sufficient, which will be a very nom
inaI expense. The grade Of oil that
contemplated is 65 per cent asphaltun
and is to be as heavy with asphaltuf
!. as a be well applied successful!
: and at present is worth $.04s per ga
3 Ion delivered in Mexico.
If the Boulevard or any other roa
is thus improved, arrangement
7 should be made to carry on the wor
Z each year within a specified limit {
the price Of oil.