The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-12-13
!. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1926
APPEALS FOR
SNOW REMOVAL.
ON HIGHWAYS
Keeping Roads Clear Would
Bring Saving Of 500, OOO,-
900, A. A. A. Estimates

Washington, d. c., Dec. l3-The
thirty-six states in the snow belt will
save millions Of dollars this winter,
If they keep the main arteries Of
vchicular travel open and clear Of
snow, statement issued by the
American Automobile Association to-
day declared.
The national motoring body urged
all states in the snow zone to adop.
definite program Of snow removal
not only in the interests Of economy,
but as vital factor in the contin-
uation Of food distribution and o.
social communication, also as an aid
to the maintenance Of the educational
system intact throughout the winter.
Basing its estimates on expansion
Of snow removal in former winters,
the A. A. A. calculated that approx
mately 10000 miles of highway in
the nation would be kept free OF
snow this year. Last year, the figure
stood at $4,000 miles. The yearly in
crease is approximately Is per cent.
Cost Is Figured
The cost Of clearing these $4,000
miles was placed at $3,575,663. The
A. A. A. estimated that every 800
spent in snow removal yields $1,000
in more efficient transportation and
business continuity. On the basis Of
these figures the communities which
keep their streets and highways clear
this year will spend approximately
$i,45O,OOO from which they will reap
IN economic benefit Of approximately
$4,000, 900.
"rhcsc figures arc not far wide Of
tho mark" said the A. A. A. state
mcnt. "and they demonstrate the very
great value Of snow removal to COM
mcrcc alone. Thirty-fivc of the &c
states in the snow belt remove snow,
but many Of them fall far short Of
adequate, thorough removal. There
arc more than 100000 miles of sur
faced rural highways in these states,
yet the snow will be cleared from not
more than third of this mileage. If
the saving for third is $4,000, 900,
obviously it would be somewhere near
$3.50, 100000 for the entire area. If
1now removal was thorough, the saw
ing would be even greater.
I'm June, 1926. there were 10000
900 motor vehicles registered in these
35 states thrcc-fOurths of the
nations total registration. This great
grouping Of motor cars reveals that
millions in the snow belt find it ex-
pcdient to use the highways through
out the year. With SO many vehicles
in operation, SO many varied aims and
objects dependent upon the highways
in this snow area, it is inevitable that
every community must face heavy
economic loss each day that its high
ways are closed"
Urges Definite Program
The A. A. A. urges that every state
in, the snow belt adopt definite
for the benefit of snow states a col
lected mass of charts and plans for
keeping the roads open, which has
been compiled after exhaustive study
of snow conditions.
Far too many states and cities
still lag behind in preparedness for
snow removal the A. A. A. said.
"The result is transportation tie-ups,
interference with winter motoring.
unnecessary damage to streets. the
dcpopulating of schools, the isolation
of thousands of families in rural
homes, the loss and DETECTION of bust
ness, and quite often the serious cur
failing Of food distribution.
Three years ago, Washington, d.
c., suffered loss of 100000 as
the result of being unprepared for
snow, although Washington is not in
the extreme snow belt. New York
City alone sustained loss of $50, OOO,-
900 in 1920 in one storm. What hap
pcncd in those two cities. happens
every winter in other unprcparcd
communities.
"Snow removal will pay for itself
alone in the preservation Of the
streets and highways. Everything
aside from that is velvet. With the
increasing Importance Of highway
transportation. snow removal should
DC made as much Il definite part Of
state. country and city road depart
ments as road maintenance and re-
pair are in the spring, summer and
TALL Seasons" va - 49,