The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1916-06-15
Laksta Man Has Plan
for Good Roads Week

J. w. Bliss, state engineer for North
Dakota, has discovered North Dako-
ia man who has petty good plan
for Good Roads Week" We give
the plan, together with Mr.. Bliss ex-
planatory note, in full below.
Through correspondence it was
learned that Chas. R. Pettes, a pioneer
of Nelson county, and at the present
time supervisor Of Lakota township,
had outlined plan for Good Roads
Week." which he intends to try this
season. AS such plan should be of
great interest to all road builders and
advocates of better roads in the state,
Mr.. Pettes was requested to submit an
outline Of the plan as he had it in
mind. While Mr.. Pettes preferred not
to do this until he had given his plan
q Thorough trial, it was thought that
it would be of greater service if an
outline of such plan could be given
publicity in time for trial by various
civil townships during the coming sea.
son. -.. -..-a ..1 ... ...-.. .a.......
It does not seem that this outline
can be improved upon, although where
local conditions may make it advisable
variations may be adopted in order to
secure better results. The outline as
prepared by Mr.. Pettes is as follows:
II am in receipt Of your letter of
the 4th inst. and hasten to reply, lest
you might think had lost interest in
the matter of good roads. --..
II note you are interested in my
plan for Good Roads Week An
idea has but little value until it has
been demonstrated, and as yet my
idea has not been tested. However,
for your information l will give you
an outline of the scheme as have
planned it.
"The main feature is to have every
farmer and land owner in the town
ship donate at least one day (more if
possible) with a man and team to as
sist in road building. My plan is to
have this work done during the second
week in June, that being the time
when most farmers have leisure, and
it is also suitable time for doing the
work. Prior to that time, each farmer
and land owner will be asked to sign
an agreement to do certain amount
of work during said week, and, if pos
sible, specify the day on which he pre-
fers to begin. This will enable the
supervisors to plan to have full gang
Tor perhaps several gangs) for each
day of the week.
previous to the day on which a
man is expected to be on the job, he
will be notified by mail, and also per-
sonally when possible, and instructed
what to bring or what he will be ex-
pected to do The written notice will
be sent several days in advance and
he will be asked to notify the board if
he cannot come. In the case OF land
owners who cannot perform the &C.
tual work, they will be asked to pay
an amount sufficient to hire the work
done.
Engines will be used as we'll as
horses. A suitable overseer will be
appointed for each gang. The work
will be done in the following order:
First, to fill in bad places in travel
ed roads so as to make them reason
ably passable.
Second, to begin at the city limits
and build good roads for short dis
tances in each direction, same to be
extended as funds and time permit.
>"In this way the cooperation OF
every man will be assured, as he will
know that his efforts and those of his
immediate neighbors will be first ex.
pended in making the roads near home
passable, and only after that is done
will he be called upon to assist in
building main lines in first class shape
for general traffic.
None of the money or labor will be
used for road maintenance. That we
are endeavoring to attend to by means
of the tax funds. 1--WE have done con-
siderable dragging, etc., this spring.
"rhis,, in the rough, is the plan.
How it will work out remains to be
seen. This will be an unusually hard
spring to start it, owing to the late
season. However, l have talked with
quite a number of men who would be
expected to assist, and have yet to
meet with unfavorable comment.
"The advantages claim in favor OF
the week instead of '0ne day are as
follows: >--.......... .-.......-- s.
Il. Allows man to select one Tor
more) of six days in which to work.
g.. Permits a larger amount Of
work.
20. Permits larger amount of
work to be done with the same tools.
"3. Makes larger scheme of it and
therefore more attractive.
"a. Enables the board to promise
work in various localities, thus secur-
ing more universal cooperation.
II will further say that am inclined
to think that many of the auto owners
in the city will be glad to contribute
few dollars each toward the general
Improvement of main lines.
Il intend to set the scheme in mo-
ton next week-to get the members
of the board together and arrange all
details, and to begin to get signatures
to the agreement. The township will
be divided into districts, and each
member of the board, including the
treasurer, clerk and assessor, will be
expected to obtain the signatures Of