Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1920-12-30


mel: There was available fef this
purpose ffcin automobile license fees
s1,55O,0 600, The heavy-traffia counties
added to that $250,0o0 making total
of s2,0o0,000. Several thousand miles
of county trunk highways were also
handled under patrol maintenance.
There was available for this 100000
from the automobile license fund,
which IN many instances, was incraas-
ed by the counties from local funds.
There were many hampering ccndi-
tions in 1920. Labor and materials
were high, making prices CT construc-
ton in many instances prohibitive.
Cars for the transportation of mater
ial were extremely difficult to secure,
and the amount of cement was limit
ed. The condition of the bond market
was such that it was practically i'm
possible to market bonds for road i'm
provement. This had a marked eff
feet, especially on the mileage of con-
crete surfacing constructed. Taking
it all in all, however, ard looking at
the whole state, Wisconsin never made
better progress in a single year nor
were her roads found in better condi-
ton.
For the year 1921 the outlook is high
ly optimistic. The labor and trans
portation condition has improved.
Prices are sliding and never in history
Of the state have the various counties
provided for such big programs of
road improvement. The counties
which have bonded are anxious to
push their work
There will be total, of approx
mately $24,000,000 available. for high
way construction and maintenance in
1921 from all sources-federal, state,
counties and other local units, and mo-
tor vehicle licenses. Of this $19,500,-
900 is for construction and $4,500,000
for maintenance The construction
fund is made up of $3,500,000' from
bond issues and S8,0OO,000 under the
State Trunk Highway act. which in
cludes the federal aid. The balance
is made up Of state, county and local
funds.
The carrying out of this program
depends in a measure on conditions
which, at the present, look bright. The
bond issue program depends largely
on the condition of the bond market
Such counties as Waukesha, Fond du
Lac, Racine, Dodge and Brown have
in view bond issue highway construc-
ton running in each instance from
| $750,000 to $1,000,000.
To revert to the highway situation
in the state during the past year,
it may be said that Wisconsin has tax
en- the leadership in the Middle West
Emulation is the best commentator
Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan
and other states have adopted oul
road marking system. Illinois will
undoubtedly adopt our patrol mainten-
ance system. A large number of dele
cations, especially from Illinois, have
visited Wisconsin during the year to
learn show we do things"
The press of other states has words
| praise for the Wisconsin idea in road
| building and maintenance. Two of the
leading farm papers in the Middle
| West recently sent staff correspond
ents to look over the Wisconsin roads
the Orange Judd Farmer and the
Prairie Farmer. They wrote up glow
ing stories regarding the road work
in Wisconsin and urged that their own
state, Illinois, adopt the Wisconsin
system. A Chicago Tribune CORES
pendent, after touring the states of
the Middle West, gave the palm to
Wisconsin and said that this state was
doing what other states were theor-
ling about. The Chicago Automobile
Journal, looking at things from the
TOURISTS point of view said that Wis
consin had become the tourists ground
| of the Middle West because of the
good roads within her borders.
All in all, in the retrospect and in
the prospect, Wisconsin's good roads
enthusiasts can feel happy at the end