The Glasgow courier., 1916-10-20

together with the federal money, will
90 into actual road construction.
All contracts must be advertised as
provided by law in the various states,
and must be let to the lowest respon-
sibe bidder.
1t is not the intention of the de-
partmcnt to require the construction
of unnecessarily expensive roads, as
the law itself limits the amounts to
be expended in the sum of $4,000 per
mile. However roads must be con-
structed of standard width, with linn
iting grades and correct drainage.
Only Hard Surfacing.
Many miles of roads in Montana
are already we'll located and fairly
well drained and graded. which fact
will enable a greater mileage to be
finished with some approved form Of
wearing surface than would be pos
sible it new road was to be con-
structed throughout, with the amount
of money available each year, and
more permanent class Of construction
will be undertaken.
It is the belief of the State De-
partment that several Of our through
tonnage roads can be constructed or
improved in permanent manner with
permanent structures that will re-
quire a minimum amount of up-keep
within the period allotted for the ap-
preparation.
The counties through which federal
aid roads are built will be required to
enter into an agreement to maintain
the roads so constructed under the
supervision Of the State end Federal
authorities and unless such agree
ments are entered into no expendi-
lures will be made.
Should the county authorities at
any time fail to maintain the roads so
constructed in proper condition no
more roads will be constructed in ac-
cordanc. with the act in such coun-
ties.
The principal reasons for govern
ment aid in the state construction of
improved highways are that interstate
travel is increasing to a great extent
, and that an undue and improper bur-
| den has been placed upon the various
{ states over which the through roads
| pass by reason of the traffic from
l other states. 1t is possible under such
: conditions that road of slight i'm
: portance to the state is of vast i'm
: portance as an interstate means OF
communication, and the state has lit
tie inducement to improve it, and yet
if such road is not improved it would
5 work hardship on intercourse be-
: tween other states.
, Of Military Importance.
Another very important feature is
the construction of adequate high.
= ways for the transportation of troops
y and military equipment, which roads
might be of small import to the state
locally vet of supreme Importance tt
. the country at large.
: The federal government has source:
= Of revenue independent of the states
: portion Of which should justly b'
contributed to the development Of in
terstate and post highways.
:, The advantage of federal aid, i
- - properly administered, should fan
outweigh any disadvantage due t.
y seemingly trivial traffic requirement
and departmental regulations whicl
are necessary to guard against ex
y pensive and wasteful methods of con
- struction And the states should no
= expect to do work of an inferior o
. temporary nature with federal aid
but should construct roads of as sub
tantial and endurable character as i
= consistent with the traffic require
ments to be encountered.
= In the location of these project
. one of the first things to consider i
. the amount of money it is wise to ex
pend for the amount Of traffic to b
;, accommodated. The first step SHOULD
- :, be to find out roughly how muc|
. money can be devoted to road wor
. with profit to the particular sectio1
!. in which the roads will be built, add
- ing to this the sum to be obtaine
e through federal aid to take care o
interstate and county business owe
J., such roads which are of no conse
:, quence locally but must be provide
=" for.
l. Highways Projected.
The amount Of tonnage served. tC
II gether with the relation the paricl
II lar section will bear to the whole sys
" tenn proposed will be the determinin
t factors in deciding the amount pc
l. mile necessary.
a 1t is proposed as tentative pro
K. gram tLat the roads to be improve
he be the east and west highways aion
D the line of the Northern Pacific an
l. Great Northern railroads, connectin
II with similar roads at both east an
K west entrances: three north and sout
'e lines known as the Glendivc- Sidne
A. CAICCALEN Vx1AAITCr