Evening journal., 1923-01-16

! sing. places an earth road in condi-
ton TO render very satisfactory SER
vice eight or nine months OF the
year. then the remaining months
when the weather is OF a stormy ma
I ture. traffic is at its lowest, so that
although in shape but IS per cent. or
the time. properly prepared earth
4 highways serve a much larger per-
centage of the total tonnage than
the time would indicate. Many OF
the southern and western states
where the road mileages are much
greater in proportion TO the popula-
lion and property value than in our
county, have undertaken the MAIN
tenance Of prepared earth roads on
extended scales and are realizing
material benefits from their improv-
ed service. on many OF these fed
eral aid has been applied. The prep
aratlon includes the grading and
browning of the roadway and the
construction Of necessary drainage
structures. as bridges and culverts.
The first and most Important Of the
steps in road improvement Is thus
completed
Maintenance Of these roadways
includes regular dragging and perl
odic reshaping by organized patrols.
They are termed progressive type
highways. i'm that as funds are avail
able further steps in the surface i'm
provement can be attained. Any
temporary surface of earth or gravel
finally serves as the subbase for the
ultimate improved surface as de-
manded by the respective traffic
needs.
''Mr. Upham. formerly our State
Highway Department chief engineer.
is carrying on considerable work OF
this character in North Cerolina
with great satisfaction TO the high
way users. The gravel roads of New
Jersey. which give excellent sum-
mer service. might be considered OF
this type.
by this plan. the benefits OF Inn
nroved road service are Immediately
extended over a much larger mile
age. during the portion OF the year
when traffic is heaviest and construc-
ton OF the hard surfaces on the
main lines can then he carried on as
funds are provided. In our work
the term road Improvement has
usually menat a hard surfaced high
way. so that whenever the grading
and draining has been undertaken
the final surface has followed at
once.
The earth roads OF our territory
have not usually been prepared BY
possibly the top OF a hill carried TO-
grading but have been accepted with
a hollow and then rounded by scrap
ing and maintained by dragging.
I'm some or the districts the mar
row road widths cause the crown to
be too sharp. so that traffic follows
in one set OF ruts and soon cuts
through the surface. In other areas
the steep hills wash with every
storm do not believe. however. I
that continuous lines Of earth roads. Z
without respect to hundred boun- /
iaries. should be graded to provide !
proper drainage. widered il neces-
sary. and maintained in as good a !
condition as possible. to serve as
auxiliary roads to our state and I
county improved road systems. and
In a measure extend benefits OF them .
10 the furthermost portions OF our
county"
Would Patrol Highways.
There are many valuable sugges-
lions as to securing improved ser
vice for earth roads throughout the
county. preparatory to future steps
toward attaining surface improve
ment. il suggests the necessity for
a definite place for a store yard TO
receive various materials in bulk
and lot shipments for distribution.
and TO assemble county equipment
for overhauling and repairing.
Regular and systematic patrol OF
the county highways for traffic regu-
lation, highway protection and gen
cral policing by uniformed force.
Mr.. Grubb says would be appropri-
ate TO prevent detouring by over
loaded trucks to avoid passing scales
on State roads. He points out that
there IL a law granting authority To
restrict traffic on lightweight roads
during the treacherous period from
December ] to May I, but no means