The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-08-02
SATURDAY AUGUST 2, 1919
MAINTENANCE OF ROADS

Tn the matter of good roads, we
row recognize that the chief prob
lem in America is that of their MAIN
tenance rather than that Of their con-
struction. Aroused to the value ana
importance of better highways, there
is no difficulty in raising the money
for their construction by bonds or
taxation; but had not then and we
have not even today, learned how to
nreserve and maintain our highways
after they have been opened for the
traffic: and we have made no ade-
ouate provision for their repair. The
movement had bad setback during
the early days of the present activity
because of the snort duration OF the
present highways. Many of them de-
Perforated almost from the day OIL
their opening, and some were scarcely
passable in a few months after they
were first travelled. In some cases the
money provided was used wholly for
construction, with no allowance made
for wear and tear. Since then we
have learned better, and have discov-
cred how important isthe 'mainte-
nance proposition, especially In a
country like Louisiana, where the
road foundations are not very solid
and cannot bear great or heavy
traffic unless well cared for.
The complaints of terioration are
not limited to Louisiana, but are
countrywide. Take Texas, for in
stance, which has done far more for
road building than any state in the
South, if not in the country. Every
county and district has voted Hber-
ely for good roads and the totals
appropriated for their improvement
run we'll up into the tens of millions
Vast sums have already been spent
and much more awaits expenditure
On these roads. There is a feeling Of
disappointment and anxiety over thu
fact that so many of the new high
ways are showing marked evidence:
of deterioration in very short time
and a great desire is felt to deter
mine to what cause this decay i
due-whether to some defect in con
struction or to misuse in any way.
Some road experts attribute tn
deterioration to the large number o
heavy auto trucks being used Of
roads not prepared for them. Thi
assertion is denied with equal pos
! tiveness by other experts, who charg
that the roads were not properl
constructed for the traffic they wer
expected to handle. The first road
were not of a permanent character
they say, but merely temporary.
is orly within the last few years tina
we have accepted the Roman idea o
building permanent highways for a
time, and calling for little to maintai
them. On the contrary, our road!
both in foundation and surfacins
were intended for very light traffi,
The traffic has grown heavier, and W
must build stronger and more exper
sive roads to handle it and set apal
a greater amount for maintenance,
The cost we figured on few veal
ago in road building throughout tn
South, and particularly in Louisian
is, ridiculous in the light of what "
know today. We are not able to bull
nearly as much mileage, but they wi
be better and more heavily built, ar
will cost far more to maintain. It
a question, too, of what traffic Il
new roads should provide for. 1t
suggested that some of them stretcl
ing between towns be set aside f,
auto trucks and heavy traffic, ar
others reserved for ordinary ligl
traffic. Uuless some provision
this kind is made, the cost of ros
building is going to run up to hea,
figure, taxing US to the utmost. It
calculated that in Texas 80 per Gel
Of the original roads were construc
ed for light traffic alone and cann
stand the heavier business now heir
thrown to them, and we have pro
ably Jared no better in Louisiana.
determining upon the policy to pu
sue and the character of roads
build, these points will have to be Ia
en- into consideration.-Tim Pic
yune.
If you sit in a cool draft when yc
are heated and get a stiff neck
L. l. L