The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-09-14
GOOD ROADS To
BE bU|LT.W|TH
GREAT VIC D R
Fine Progress and Com
prehensive Plans for
Future Is Outlined in
Department Report.

A record of achievement may be
visualized in the September report
of the state highway department in
the progress of the Idaho road build
ing program. Plans are now being
outlined, not only for a continuation
of the present program but for its
elaboration during the next biennium
Prefacing the itemized report of ex-
penditures and progress on various
projects, the September report says:
Idaho has made record in high
way Improvement during the past
biennium and the department of public
works wishes to express its appreci-
alton of the hearty cooperation which
has been given by the people of the
state. Without the active assistance
of the county and highway district
commissioners, commercial and ro-
tary clubs, good roads associations
and public spirited individuals who
have given their time and energy
freely to forward this constructive
work, the bureau of highways could
not have carried out its program.
''In only few isolated instances
has local difference of opinion hamp-
cred a proposed improvement In
one instance it would appear that con-.
struction was obstructed and retard-
ed for political reasons, to the detri-
ment of the whole country. In few
cases, individuals have interefered
with the highway program of the
county or highway district, and have
prevented the commissioners from
signing cooperative agreements. This
hos An1oroA Aha ~f
portant work for at least one year.
Opposition Is Isolated.
"These obstructionists have been in
a pitifully small minority. The state
as whole has given whole heartedly,
loyal support to the department. Any
difficulties which have arisen have
been ironed out in spirit to give
and take, with realization that both
parties have been working for the
same end, the best interests of the
state at large.
ION the other hand, the department
of public works has planned all i'm
provements for the development of
the entire state, regardless of sectional
squabbles or of the political COM
piexion of the territory through which
the highway is located.
'The program for the coming bien-
mum is even larger than that for 1919
and 1920. The department looks for
ward to the continued support of the
friends of better highways in the Gem
state. The object lessons furnished
by the roads already built have over
come most of the objections that were
raised at the commencement of state
highway construction, and many who
honestly opposed state control for fear
of greatly increased costs are now
among the most ardent boosters for
state built and maintained highways
During the next two years the de-
partment will continue the same high |
class type of construction, the same
careful maintenance and the same dis
regard for any political consideration |
whatever in the. location of the roads |
that has been followed in the past.
Wisconsin Results.
Idaho is not the only state that is |
unable to hard surface all her roads |
at the time the first grading contract
is awarded. Wisconsin, with appro-
priations much larger than ours, is |
as we are, and she has
adopted the same policy that is pur-
sued by the bureau of highways. The
extracts from a lecture by |
A. R. Hirst, state highway engineer
Of Wisconsin, are taken from THE
Road Maker" !
"'When went into Wisconsin in
1907, went there with the idea that
any money which was not spent for
construction was wasted l am now
just as firmly convinced that we can
spend our first several million dollars
in temporary work in making these