Imperial Valley press., 1916-03-09
where the new court house may be
erected eventually.
Public Morals.

sections, much elimination of. possible
graft and the institution Of fair deal
ing in all private. as well as public
affairs. to the benefit of the whole
community Like most parts of Cali
fornia. this section is cursed with too
much peanut politics" and too many
pattery politicians, which is very ap-
parent to any close observer. Let the
motor be in all this community hence
forth, efficiency for all public Off
cials" This can only be put into
effect by the better class of farmers,
business men and taxpayers taking
more interest in all public questions
and public business, thereby eliminat
ing the professional politician ard
CRATER. Then, and not until then, will
public morals be placed upon a higher
plane.
Criminal Complaints.
In the matter of criminal complaints
presented to the grand jury, there
were a number presented. Several CT
them were not acted upon, not coming
within the jurisdiction of the grand
jury, the complainants being referred
to the district attorney. Two COM
paints were heard in full but no in
dictments found, owing to conflicting
and insufficient evidence. In one case
an il dctment was found and formal
ly returned to the district attorney.
Roads.
Through general observation of the
condition of roads and bridges, it is
our opinion that the great increase in
county road mileage (now about |, 400
miles, has left much to be desired in
the way of improvement, in al eX-
cepting the trunk lines. There has
come to our knowledge many instan-
ces of wasteful expenditure, and we
believe that more comprehensive
plan of spending the road funds should
be devised without delay.
The trunk lines are quite passable,
and apparently increased effort is do
ing great deal to offset the process
of destruction which is going on con-
tinuously. on account of the constant
ly increasing traffic.
A noticeable feature of improvement
was the replacement by corrugated cul-
verts in place of the wooden bridges.
The many advantages from this are
apparent and quite obvious.
The constant deterioration Of the
trunk roads suggested (as it has for
the last few years in the Valley the
subject of permanent highways. This
subject was intended to be given par
ticular emphasis in this report, but as
the investigation proceeded further in
to the matter, the fact that presented
Itself most prominently was that to
make complete, correct and syste-
matte report on the subject would re-
quire too much time and great
amount of technical knowledge
Recognizing the fact that permanent
road construction represents the high
est type of real economy, we, there
fore, recommend that the county
should take advantage of the vast
amount of knowledge, data and ex-
perience of the State Highway Com
mission.
We recommend that the supervisors
request the state highway commission
to appoint competent road engineer,
at the expense of this county, to thor
oughly investigate local conditions,
with particular reference to the fu-
ture maintenance of the present dirt
roads, and complete, systematic and
correct plan for the eventual con-
struction Of chain CT permanent
county highways Also with further
and particular information with ref
erence to financing the project.
Upon thorough investigation, we
find that the cost of maintenance of
concrete roads, specifications accord
ing to state highway constructed,
would be fully as great, if not greater,
than the present maintenance cost of
our dirt roads. This, we appreciate,
is contrary to general opinion.
The cost Of county highway con-
structed of concrete, and according to
state highway specifications, built
from Calipatria to Calexico and from
Ell Centre to Holtvlle, would require
an expenditure of about 100000 in
bonds.
Twenty-year bonds, bearing 5 per
cent interest, with the necessary sink
ing fund, these, together with the
maintenance cost, would mean an ap-
proximate increase in the tax levy of
about $4,000 per year for several
years to come.
We find that ABOUT $174,000 was
spent in the five road districts during