The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-17

; OF ROADS HELD
BEST SYSTEM
Extension of State Highway
Commission Control Seen
In Middle West
PEOPLE GLAD TO PAY
fndiana's Experience Is That
Good Roads Mean Economy
To Motorist, Farmers

, indianapolis, Ind, Sept. 17.-State
highway commission control Of high
ways has come to stay in Indiana.
Centralized control of the road sys-
tenn in the state body not only is
firmly imbedded in the state laws,
but there is an overwhelming sem
timent in favor Of such control; peo-
pie demand that it be extended.
The state highway commission
law was enacted in Indiana only
four years ago after q great legisla-
tive battle, but there has been no
such fight as was waged in the
North Dakota legislature last winter
to abolish the commission. Instead
each succeeding legislature, with the
majority of members either farm
ers or depending upon the votes Of
farmers for political advancement.
have amended and extended the laws
until officials Of the state claim
that the state has the best highway
laws that have yet been devised in
this or other states.
There has been but one PROPOSE
ton advanced by good roads boost
ers which has found little favor-is-
suance Of state bonds for road build
ing. A "pay as you 60" policy has
been adopted by the state with re-
spect of state highways. It is held
that this policy means economy in
road building, since the interest
charge on huge bond issue is
avoided; it prevents the state from
building system that cannot be
maintained adequately with the
finances available, and an orderly
extension Of the highways systems
gives opportunity to progress in
road building.
While at first the proposition that
the state highway commission should
maintain state highways was looked
upon with disfavor, the commission
has done so we'll in maintaining
roads that there 10 a readiness on
all sides to provide adequate funds
for the commission to carry on its
maintenance program.
The highway system contemplates
main market highways connecting all
parts of the state, all to be paved
ultimately, and system Of state
built and ate-maintained highways
connecting every county seat. Ce-
ment is used chiefly in paving, al
though in brick-producing sections of
the state some brick roads have been
laid. All state highway pavement is
20 feet in width or more, with gravel
Shoulders" on either side. Grade
crossings and bad hills are elimin-
ated to large extent.
Few gravel highways have been
built by the state commission. It
has, however, taken over many gra-
vel highways and has improved them
and is maintaining them. Surplus
army trucks are used to great de-
gree in the maintenance work. Some
Of the gravel highways which are q
part of trans-continental. or other
trails Of Importance are dragged
each day, chuck-holes are kept fill
ed up and loose gravel used as need
ed. Travel at 40 to so miles an hour
is accomplished on such highways
without discomfort or danger. It is
the work Of the highway commission
In maintaining these gravel roads 50
well under heavy traffic that has
won support for the state unit of
maintenance.
Funds for the state highway com.
mission are derived from a small
general property tax, a 2-cent-a-gal-
lon gasoline tax provided by the last
legislature and the motor vehicle
tax. Part of the gasoline tax goes
to counties, while all motor vehicle
fees 60 into the state fund. A coun-
ty unit of control Of practically all
highways not included in the state
system is provided, the old township
system disappearing almost entirely.
There is no complaint on the gas
oline tax. Motorists believe that it
is economy for them to be able to
travel over paved or we'll maintained
gravel roads. There il, too, the ad-
vantage which would be, proportion
ately greater in North Dakota-the
tourist pays the gasoline tax and
thereby helps to keep up the roads
he uses in travelling across the coun.
try.
Motorists demand good roads first
Tor pleasure and they, too, have be-
come convinced that the best roads
are the most economical. The only
class of business that is generally
held to be benefited to q marked
degree by the roads program is
farming. Economy in hauling grain
and livestock to market and ability
to beat high freight rates by use Of
individually owned trucks or truck
lines have been factors which have
caused farmers throughout the state
to strongly support the good roads
program.
Good roads have increased travel
within the state and have created q
new state pride. Because Of the
sase OF making automobile trips
many persons have adopted the slo-
ran sof see your own rstste first.n
and many sections formerly known
- "out Of the way" now are visited
~ Thousands. Land values frequent
- have been increased BY the build
M II state highway.
Al state highway commission
t0eds ars marked BY ths cemmission,
. the North Dakota highway COM
1sisSion il now planninx TO do. All
efhsr signs upon the highway right
oGeWay aro removed ST 90