Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-12
ENGINEER ASKS
APPROPRIATION
FOR HIGHWAYS
w. H. Robinson Urges Vast
Program For Good Roads
In North Dakota.

Bismarck, N. D., Oct. 12-1ncreased |
appropriations for the state highway !
department, a fund to enable the state ]
to enter into actual construction work
on a large scale, the purchase ana re- !
sale to contractors by the state Of
cement, steel. timber and other ma
terials, a bond issue for state high
way construction and the use of con
Wet labor by h state highway COM
mission In maintenance n manufac-
turing work are recommended by w.
n. Robinson, state engineer, in his
report to Governor Frazier.
Great stress is laid in the volumin-
GUS report on the recommendations
Tor Increased salaries and an in
creased budget for the department.
Among the other recommendations
are:
Seven Points Stressed.
l. An adequate budget. travelling
expense fund and funds with which to
publish a bulletin regularly.
2. Expansion of the principle Of
state aid and providing larger state
state and federal aid on highway prof.
ects up to rs per cent Of the cost OF
construction.
3. Construction and maintenance
or the entire state highway system,
at present 5000 miles, by use of state
funds alone without using county
money.
4. In addition to a bond issue rails
ing funds, it is suggested that the
present automobile registration fees
be doubled.
s. Require drivers of automobiles
to be licensed and prohibiting persons
under 16 years of age from driving
on public thoroughfares.
6. Prohibits the working out of
poll taxes and making the contract
system compulsory.
T.. Make convic labor available for
use by the state highway commission
Tor such work as maintaining the new
Missouri river bridge, making con-
crete pipe %culverts, sign boards, etc,
towns n counties.
Should Match Federal Funds.
The report points out that millions
o. aoliars. 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
federal aid road work constructed or
under contract was 1882 07. 40, the
total mileage 605.61 and the aver
g cost per mile ~$2,942.50. There
is in prospect federal aid to the
amount Of 49, 900 if the state
matches the amount, it is stated.
The report refers to what it says
is Considerable criticism" directed
against the highway department on
the cost of engineering. It shows
mat IN 1917 the cost for preliminary
surveying per mile was $26.49 and OF
preparing plans. $29.72 per mile. In
1920 the cost had advanced to about
$45 per mile for surveying and sos
per mile for making plans. The re-
port defends the increased cost. and
asserts 1t Is relatively low.
. In the matter of supervision and
inspection Of construction, if criticism
IS to be directed against the depart
ment, it is to be on the ground that
inadequate inspection, both as to
quality n number of inspectors, en-
gineers etc.. has been provided
rather than that. lit cost too much"
says the report :, 4
Advocating the taking over of the
maintenance OF the designated state
highways, and regarding the present
maintenance work the report says:
Patrol System Failure.
1T is a foregone conclusion, at this
time at least; that a patrol system is
doomed to unsatisfactory results gen.
orally. Farmers cannot be relied up
on, to drag at the proper time" add.
ing that the proper time is when
farm work is probably more impor-
tant h a the road work.
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
typographical features are favorable
for easily constructing reservoirs the
spring runon from coulees and other
small water courses may b. stored
for use o n limited tracts. It is be-
!leved that these small projects should
be encouraged and all assistance pos
sible rendered."
Urges Artesian Conservation.
Quoting a law in existence in South