The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-10-12
CONSTRUCTION
OF ROADS BY
STATE URGED
Highway Engineer Would Enter
Into Building on Large
%4 Scale
BUY NJ TERIALS ALSO
Increased Auto Fees and In
creased Salaries Also Are
Urged ...

\ &
Increased appropriations for the
state highway department, a fund to
enable the state to enter into actual
construction work on large scale
the purchase and resale to contractors
by the state Of cement, steel, timber
and other materials, a bond issue for
state highway construction and the
use of convict labor by the state high.
way ay~commission in the maintenance
and manufacturing work are recon-
mended by w. H. Robinson, state en-
gineer, in his report to Governor Fra
| Zier. -. ~
Great stress is laid in the volumi-
nous report on the recommendation
for increased, salaries and an in.
creased budget for the department
Among the recommendation are:
". An adequate budget, travelling eX
pense fund and funds with which to
publish a bulletin regularly. ~,
| 2. Expansion of the principle( o!
state aid and providing larger state
aid fund to enable counties to\ secure
state and federal aid on highway pro-
jects up to IS per cent Of the cost OF
construction.
3. Construction and maintenance OF
| the entire state highway system, at
present 5000 miles, by use of state
funds alone without using county
money. +,
| Double Auto Fees!
| 4. In addition to bond issue rails
ing funds, it is suggested that the
| present automobile registration fees
| be doubled.
n 5. Require drivers of automobiles
to be licensed and prohibiting persons
under 16 years Of age from driving on
public thoroughfares.
6. Prohibit the working out Of poll
taxes and making the contract system
| compulsory. .
| Z. Make convict labor available for
use by the state highway commission
for such work as maintaining the new
Missouri river bridge, making con-
crete pipe culverts, sign boards, ETC..
using jail inmates for road work in
towns and counties. X pr.
The report points out that millions
Of dollars, which must be matched by
the state, will be available from the
federal government for road work. On
June 80, 1920, it states the total fed.
eral aid road work constructed or
under contract was $1,7S2,007.40, the
total mileage 605.61, and the average
cost per mile $2,942.50 There is in
prospect federal aid to the amount Of
$8,500,O00 il the state matches the
amount, it is stated.
Refers to Criticism.
The reports refers to what it says is
considerable criticism" directed
against the highway department on
the cost Of engineering. 1t shows
that in 1917 the cost for preliminary
surveying per mile was $26.49, and
of preparing plans, $2972 per mile.
In 1920 the cost had advanced to
about $45 per mile for surveying and
$65 per mile for making plans. The
report defends the increased cost, and
assists it is relatively low. .
"In the matter of supervision and
inspection of construction, if criti-
cism is to be directed against the
department.. it is to be on the ground
that inadequate inspection, both as to
quality and number of inspectors, en-
gineers, etc, has been provided, rath-
er than that it cost too much" says
the report. .Has
Advocating the taking over of the
maintenance of the designated state
highways, and regarding the present
maintenance work the report says:
ut is foregone conclusion, at this
time at least, that a patrol system is
doomed to unsatisfactory results gem
orally. Farmers cannot be relied
upon to drag at the, proper time,'
adding that the proper time is when
farm work is probably more import
ant than road work. y
Regarding Irrigation r.
Regarding irrigation the report
says:
"The possibilities in western North
Dakota for irrigation on an extensive
scale are very limited indeed. There
are, however, numerous opportunities
for small projects along most of the
streams. Occasionally where the top
ographical features are favorable for
easily constructing reservoirs the
spring runoff from coulees and other
small water courses may be stored
for use on limited tracts. 1t is be-
lieved that these small projects should
be encouraged and all assistance pos
sible rendered. -f"
Quoting a law in existence in South
Dakota, the state engineer urges that
legislation be enacted to control the
flow of artesian wells, saying the wa,
ter supply furnished by Dakota sand
stone and allied water bearing stratas
is being rapidly depleted and that 4
great deal of water is wasted.
Although there are ninety-eight en-
ployes in the department, a number
more in the motor vehicle %registra-
tion department, it is stated the force
is inadequate.
Among other things, the engineer
urges the authorization of the appoint
ment of a truck master and assist
ants. Higher salaries are urged, and
the report states that these should not
be prescribed, except for the execu-
49, Continued on Page Seven)