The Belding banner-news., 1921-10-05
TOWNSHIPS RAISE
LOT OF MONEY :
FOR GOOD ROADS
STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION
Err POINTS OUT HOW TO
CUT ROAD COST

State Highway Commissioner
Frank F, Rogers, in a letter to the
township highway commissioners
Throughout the state calls attention
TO the big sum spent by townships
in road builG ing and repairing in
addition to the great amount spent
by the state. In the letter the state
road department head also sets
forth some valuable suggestions on
how to economize in road building
and mainta nence.
"To Township Highway Commits
sioners.
even though the state is spend
ing vast sums of bond money in road
construction, it is still true that the
greatest roa0 tax in Michigan is the
tax which the people in the rural
sections vote upon themselves at
the annual town meetings. Last
year tn tax amounted to $1S, ,4q5,-
3S0.04.
"As much of this money is eX-
pended in hauling gravel to roads,
word or two as to the application of
gravel and the maintenance Of gra-
vel roads afterwards may mot be
amiss.
"Too commonly a frst-class job
IS spoiled by neglecting the gravel
after it is dumped (too often not
spread upon the road. In fact, it is
left to pack itself and Immediately
becomes full of bumps and hollows
watch become so hard that they can
hardly be smoothed except by using
a scarifier.
"Ths could easily and chear!y D.
prevented by sprea ing rle gravel
with the use Of the four-wheeled
grader followed by spike tooth
harrow and the read drag. In fact
the gravel which is placed or each
day should be spread in this way and
mo as smooth as possible before
quitting work at night.
Later the constant use of the
road drag would make many of
those township gravel roads which
have been cheaply built as pleasant
to drive over as many OF the more
costly state highways.
"Probably no implement used in
road build ng or maintenance has
done so much to keep the roads con-
stantly smooth as the use of the
patrol road drag and grader.
"When to drag-As soon as the
frost begins to come out of the
ground in the spring use the road
drag. Use it frequently, especially
after rains, until the ground freez-
es in the fall. When the road soft
ems during the winter months smooth
it up with the road drag so the sur
face will freeze smooth.
How to drag-Hitch to the drag
in such way that IL will be drawn
at an. angle, forcing some gravel to-
wards. the center of the road, If the
drag cuts too deep, shorten the hitch
if too little, lengthen it. Drag one
side of the road, then the other,
lastly making a trip down the CEN
ter. If the road is not smooth, ride
the crag, stepping around on it suf-
GENTLY to vary the cutting depth to
work out high places in the gravel
and fill low ones.
"Strive toward a uniform crown
in all gravel roads. When you drive
over the road you will readily de-
tect if it is too crowning. If too
fiat it will hold water.
Large stones embodied in the sur
face should be taken out, as it is
imposs BILE to handle road drag
properly when it is bobbing over
stones.
lone years faithful use of the
road drag will convince the taxpay-
ers Of any township that the money
had been well expended. Won't you
try it?
Every truly yours,
Frank F. Rogers,
Estate Highway Comm ssioner"