Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-22
DEFICIENCY OF ORGANIZATION
3AssAILED ~ DUBUQUE no.
TARY MEMBERS
ENGINEERS CHARGED
WITH NEGLECT Or DUTY
Charges Made by Eugene Adams,
Booster Of saseviIle Road PROPOSE
tion-6aekers Of Highway Declare
Work Will Not Be Paid For Until Il
70 Put Into Proper Condition.
Special to TimesRepublican.

Dubuque, Feb. 22.--Thc efficiency of
the Iowa state highway commission
was assailed at meeting of the
Rotary Club at the commercial club
here. Tuesday, in which Eugene
Adams, prominent local manufacturer
and booster Of the Sageville road
proposition, charged the state highway
engineers with carelessness and neg
lect Of duty. The Rotary Club voted
unanimously Ia render whatever as
sistance it's members could in an in
3yeStigation to determine the facts in
the case. -aE-.
4 1t appears that it was the intention
y Of the bA1kers of the Sageville road
proposition to put in one Of the best
roads In the state and sufficient funds
were arranged for. Mr. Adams with
another prominent Dubuque citiZcn
pledged themselves to raise 1000 of
! the amount necessary. Bids were adj
vertised. Contractors, however, failed
to come within the price limit set so
the contract was auctioned off, local
street building firm securing it,.
Supervisors Advised Against Awards.
The county board Of supervisors, &C
4cording to the charges, was advised
not to give the contract to the Du-
4 buque concern by hackers of the plan,
because of alleged poor work done in
the city proper The Dubuque con-
Germ however, got the contract, but
was warned, according to Mr.. Adams,
that they would not receive compen-
sation until the work was accepted as
satisfactory.
In an effort to insure good job,
Mr.. Adams and several other in
fiuential business men persuaded the
state highway commission to send all
expert here to watch the work as it
progressed. The monolithic brick type
Of road, in which wire cut long brick
are used, was decided upon.
Found Construction Faulty
Local business men interested in the
project made several trips of inspec-
ton over a portion OF the road COM
pleted according to the charges made
and reported to the state highway en-
tgineer that 1t was not up to standard.
A report Of Chief Engineer Macdonald
of the state commission. who was per-
suaded to come here to inspect the
road. states that 1.-THE first 1000 to
100 feet are poor construction. has 4
wavy surface and also rough sur
Mace. The next $500 feet are better,
Aitho there are number of bad con-
sstruction joints and rough spots on
the surface
The local business men are using
this report as proof that the highway
commission was negligent. Declaring
that 1t will be impossible to repair
the bad portion Of the roal. Mr.. Adams
stated emphatically that no mo',ey
would be paid out for it's construction
. until 1t was put in proper -onli''oi. In
the type OF road adopted, the brick
are laid in fresh concrete The 'hol.
making a solid road surface about
eight inches thick. According to had
ers in the movement here, the only
possible way to remedy the defects
would be to build another road on the
top 'of the brick already placed.
Inquiry to Fix Responsibility.
The investigation which Is to follow
Is aimed to place responsibility in tho
right place, according to Mr.. Adams
and whoever Is to blame must shoulder
the additional expense Of rebuilding
that portion Of the road in bad shape.
The matter already has been called
to the attention Of Governor Harding,
regarded as bitter opponent OF the
state highway commission. and to A.
torney General Havner. If expressions
heard at the Rotary Club meeting are
indicative Of the general feeling the
Sageville road controversy promises to
develop iato one Of the most bitter in
the history OF the county.
A thorough examination Of the COM
pleted section Of the road will be made
early in spring.