The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-05-13
Highway D epart ment Gets
Trucks and Tractors for Use II
in Improving Roads
TO BE DIVIDED INTO
FLEETS UNDER EXPERTS
Allotments Of Machinery Will
Be Made to Counties With. ;.
in Next Few Days

Hc MlHncSOCa highway QeparCs
ment today received 50. caterpillar
tractors from the federal bureau Of
public roads. They are valued at
$3.50, 600 and bring the total value Of
excess war equipment and materials
allotted this state for HIGHWAY work
to more than $3,0OO.00b. Nc
Charles N. Babcock, state highway
commissioner, made public d plan to
put the SO tractors and $50 big army
trucks into immediate use to augment
the big maintenance and patrol orr
ganization which already covers vir-
tually every section, Of the Z, O00-mile
state trunk highway system. Both
lots Of machines will be divided into
fleets Of 4 or 5 tractors and 10 to Is
trucks and each fleet will be in charge
Of an expert mechanic and crew Of
experienced operators. ~' ''''' =
Pulling heavy blades, the fleets Of
lotion tractors will reshape and put
a good wheel track and maintenance
foundation, on about 5 miles Of high
way every working day. These trucks
will gravel like road mileage on the
average, much depending on tho
length Of hauls. The estimates are
conservative, according to highway
engineers. Assignments of the fleets
to different districts, it is expected,
will be made within few days. The
plan further evidences the efforts Of
the department to speed up operations
and also to spread immediate benefits
Of the new state program over the en-
tire trunk system as rapidly as pos
sible. s. ..5
The tractors arriving today were
selected Monday in an eastern army
store yard by r. NJ. Cooley, depart..
ment superintendent sof equipment,
who was successful in getting the pick
Of best machines and in securing
prompt loadings for shipment.
The state highway department has
received to date $3,05O,000 Of excess
war equipment and materials. After
delivering property valued at ST.
45O 900 to counties for road work,
and assigning more for outside work,
it has stored the balance IN buildings
on the state fair grounds and erected
nearby complete. shop to. remodel
and repair the outfits. The enor-
nous acquisition represents an OUT
lay by the state Of only $165, 500 for
freight, handling charges, alterations
and repairs. Not only has the shop q
big collection Of parts furnished by
the government. but it is equipped to
manufacture new ones OF obsolete
types and also to make necessary re-
pairs. ~g. ri 4&
A shop system, has been perfected
to avoid big losses by tie-ups on work
due, to machinery breaks. This ex-
tends toshard-rubber tires, put on by
great hydraulic presses. the shop
maintaining stocks of different sizes
Of wheels which are shipped on tele..
graphic notice without the delay OF
waiting for the wheel to arrive. .#
County highway authorities have
taker, more than 400 pieces Of motor
and, other important equipment and
will be allowed to keep them until
they have no further use for them
About 1875 additional pieces Will be
employed on state trunk highway
work until it is found. that accom-
plishments are cheaper by contract
II that time comes-or until they are
worn out. S...g... .,>#
superintendent Cooley and his
shop men are scheming to put every
item to good use. Big army trucks
have been fitted with dump bodies for
hauling gravel. Light motor ambu-
lances are being converted and sup
piled viii, army cots, tents made from
truck covers, and otherwise fitted for
the use of surveying parties In the
field. Army lanterns will light high
way barricades at night, and other
equipment will be used down to the
army shovels and wheelbarrows--all
to make dirt fly in the big state high
way improvement programs as