The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-08-29

tears ana SNAKES the wagons and cars
to smithereens ana makes travel on
these roads a genuine torture. and
very expensive, and enough to make
a preacher cuss. was following a
preacher the other day and heard
him say--well will not repeat 1t, 1t
may not pass the censor. The cause
of these holes is from faulty mixture
OF the soil and uneven grading, be-
cause in rainy weather the water ac-
cumulates in the lower little depres-
sions and sOftens that spot, the con-
stant travel increasing the depres-
sions. as the falls of wagons and cars
strikes the lower places harder than
the higher ones and gradually works
out big holes and bitches. In dry
weather every time the wheels strike
these places they carry lot of dust
and still increase the holes.
I have noticed. in trying to remedy
these evils. In many instances, loose
dirt is brought up and dumped in
these holes, without the slightest
pretence Of smoothing down to the
road bed, and even IL graded down
to level surface. the dirt being
softer than the old pressed road, It
soon wears out from use either in dry
or wet weather, because 1t is only a
load of dust In dry weather and of
mud In wet weather. To make n
good job of this the holes should be
filled up gradually and allowed to be
pressed in or packed and do it over
again until 1t forms a level surface
equal In resistance with the rest of
the road. The best way would be af-
ter the road is almost level. by grad
ually filling in the depressions or
holes. at an opportune time plow up
the entire surface. harrow over un-
til the entire soil is thoroughly mixed
and then run over with a. heavy
roller, II possible. Another cause OF
road troubles is produced where there
Is no outlet for accumulated water
and the water stands on the, road or
runs over the road creating washouts
In every place where water is liable
to have this effect there should be
provided outlets. I have seen recent
ly such a place repaired and made
n ir1v -
about 200 yards. it being low sec
tion and the water had made a per-
feet swamp out Of that place. But
three days after 1t was fixed there
came a hevy rain and as there was
no outlet for the water It washed
away a part of the road, and 1t took
a gang Of ten men almost day to
fix 1t over again and provide a wa
ter outlet. This is absolutely unexcus-
able negligence and shows lack Of un-
derstanding on the part of the fore
man. --t.r at nd fa
When employed mechanics In
building I have always tried to inl /.
press them with the Importance OF
thinking and picturing their work in
their mind so that they will have an
idea what their work will accom-. &.
plish, and I found it of great help al
1t was the cause of avoiding in
Vulnerable mistakes. have also found
1t profitable to hold every one re-
sponsible for the part Of work he is
doing regardless Of the foreman, SO
that each one had a certain respon-
sibility which induced them 10 think.
Even a convict has some pride about
him and II held responsible for a
certain track of road he will pride
himself in having his track look bet
ter than the next one. q
I have noticed that even some III
our best roads are finished with clay
and some little sand dust distributed
over the roads and graded to an even
surface and left to the traveller to
smooth the roads with the wheels,
but unless the surfacing is thorough.
ly narrowed over. to say, a depth of
at least three inches and the par
ticles Of clay so beat up that there
Will remain no Jumps you will never
have smooth road. because every
little lump forms a retraction for The
wheel and Jar on its fall and forms
little cavities and helps to tear up the
balance of the road and more
work Of keeping it in good condition.
I have also noticed that some sood
roads are going to pieces for lack n,
attention. AS an instance 7 will men-
lion one section of the road between
Wedgefeld and stateburg. Three