Evening journal., 1918-08-01
ROAD WORK AND WINTER TRAFFIC.


llneglglbe quantity In many States whose roads of
military and economic Importance will demand theT
utilization during the "snowboundv period next win
ter. survey OF the plans for removal OF every
State In the Union having sufficient snowfall to impede
highway traffic during the winter months has just been
completed The reports from the various state highway
commissions disclose surprising lack OF organization
and legislation to cope with situation that promises
to be this next winter than the freight congestion
and embargo period OF last winter.
Never before in history have American highways
played such important part in transportation Fleet
after feet Of powerful motor trucks plying between
towns and cities They release thousands and thousands
! OF freight for. duty elsewhere To take the
trucks of the highways winter would be nothing
short Of calamity.
Americas second winter in the world war-wilh more
munition factories airpsne plants, and
million France who must have food and supplies
from the rural districts and the inland commercial
centers-wll heap duties on commerce never before
heard of-duties Of haulage that railroads can't
hope TO meet
Highways and trucks must come 10 the rescue But
under existing laws State highway commissions have
funds TO keep the main Travelled highways opened and
cleared Of snow. They simply urge county and town
ship road trustees keep the important open
There centralized power Under the present system
patriotic and energetic county road official may plow
and drag the from his roads far the sdoin
ing county line and find the neghboring county unin
terested and inactive Tho condition exists in the
relation Of States to each other.
The lack Of farsightedness ana provisions for snow
clearance is alarming Before It actually becomes dis
aserous to the moving Of munitions, foodstus fuel and
materials is suggested that state and county highway
commissioners and State legislatures get together be
fore winter arrives. The planning should start inn
mediatey.
The states Of New York. Pennsylvania Michigan and
Connecticut saw the importance Of winter highway
traffic last year and passed special legislation to take
Of the wartime emergency These States are
most this year in planning for the coming winter. New
York has appropriated siOOOOOO for emergency highway
work such as highway and bridge repair and main
tainance and the appropriation provides for
moval on all roads Of military Importance.
Long trains Of army trucks delivered themselves to
the seaboard Of which carried munitions through
the alert and efficient cooperation OF the Pennsylvania
State Highway Commission, which cleared the mountain
roads Of snow last winter PENNSYLVANIA is going after
the snow removal problem again this year with deter
minstion to-syail her highways for military Much
credit is due the state OF Connecticut She spent $1,000
in removing and keeping the main highway opened
last winter The State seventy trucks which are
used for highway work The Connecticut law reads
"The highway commissioner shall cause the removal Of
snow from any completed portion of any truck line
highway when the accumulation thereof shall render
such highway unsafe OF impossible for public travel"
Last winter the important roads Of Michigan were
kept open as war measure out OF a fund appro-
pration. II is reported that Michigan is taking steps
for the removal Of again this winter Massachu-
sees will clear her trunk roads for truck traffic next
winter. While Indiana has State fund for snow
clearance she has the pledge Of each county super
ntendant that the roads will be kept open
The great States Of Ohio. Illinois, Wisconsin and Ne
brasks with networks Of highways OF tremendous
economic value which nter-city and rural motor
trucking has attained immense proportions have up-to-
date made no provisions for keeping their roads open
next winter. Rhode Island, Missouri Iowa and New
Jersey have State funds this work but are busy
engaged urging local authorities to preparations
Great credit is due to counties Colorado Saquache |
and Chanee which have Joined hands keep open the
year round the highway passes the mountain range
Grading crews will be constantly at work during the
winter months clearing the heavy snow drifts
Kansas has adopted commendable plan that should |
have the consideration Of every State county high
way official in the United States Moneys for snow |
clearance in Kansas taken the road-drag fund
They advance the opinion that melting snow is grow
ing cancer to dirt road. Kansas says road dragging
after heavy well light is the savior Of dirt
roads and the proper place to charge the work is to
the road-dragging fund
And now what part is Delaware going TO play in |
this big transportation problem this winterY