Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-02-04
The ROAD WORK
ADMINISTRATION
SUBJECT OF INTERESTING TALK
BY ENGNEER NOTL OF
CROW WING

CALy ClCAZeHS VI AALClc TdIS duu
other parts of the county on Wednes-
day evening heard a most interesting
talk on road work as done in Crow
Wing county, given by Highway Engin-
eer Motl of Crow Wing county at the
city hall. Mr.. Motl was called down
here to give the talk at the request of
the county commissioners, following a
meeting of the good roads committee of
the Little Falls Board of Commerce
with the board. Mr.. Notl came down
here and found that all of the commits.
sioners with the exception of Mr.. Mil
berry had left the city, but as the meet
ing had been advertised, it was decided
to 90 ahead with it.
Mr.. Motl said that he came to Brain
erd in July, 1916 and shortly after his
arrival he prevailed on the county
board to let the engineer take entire
charge of the road work after they had
approved Of the work to be done. He
then went on to explain how the ad-
ministration of road work affairs is
handled in that county. The depart
ment submits plans for work to be done
during the year, early in the year, gen
orally mapping out several routes for a
proposed road. The commissioners
choose the route, after which the en-
gincering department proceeds. The
budget system is used for all road work
but the responsibility is left entirely
with the engineer and all complaints
go to him. He hires all labor, lets con-
tracts, in fact has charge of all phases
of the work. The different crews work
ing on the roads furnish monthly re-
ports to the engineer. In 1920, Crow
Wing county spent $3.50, 900 on road
work, including maintenance. At pres
ent, the county has 40 miles of state
road, about the same amount of town
ship roads.
All work, according to the speaker,
is done according to public opinion.
Meetings are called, to which all COM
mercial bodies in the county and town
ship organizations are invited, and after
the public has stated what it wants, a
certain amount is set off for each see.
tion. All surveys and engineering is
done by the engineering department.
The work is regularly inspected by en-
gineer and commissioners and the COM
missioners make the final inspections
but the engineer pays all the. money
cACcpt HIS O"H SflAdly. lHe engineering
department cost the county about 81,
per cent of the money spent last year,
but no one desired to 60 back to the. old
system. -.
Mr.. Motl said most Of the work is
done by contract, this being found to be
the cheapest method, several instances
being cited. Small jobs are estimated
and the work let out at a certain sum.
Mr.. Motl brought out another good
point, in favor of the central head to
look after road work, saying that during
dull times, the men can 60 out and
make soil surveys 50 as to know where
certain suitable road material may be
had. Tn this way much omney can be
saved on hauling. In conclusion, Mr..
Motl said that in road work public opin-
ion must first be considered; second
compliance by the board of the wishes
of the public; third, compliance with the
board . wishes by the engineering de-
partment and fourth, the engineering
department delivering the goods.
Several questions were asked the
speaker, after his talk and all who were
present felt that they had learned a
great deal about the handling Of road
matters. Commissioner Mulberry was
enthusiastic and said that Morrison
county ought to profit by the experience
of the neighbOr county.