The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-08-23
USE OF CHEATS
ON HIGHWAYS
is FORBIDDEN
PrOtrusiOns on Truck Wheels
Tear Up Road; Educational
Work Planned

Education rather than force will
be used by the state highway depart
ment In an effort to obtain Obser-
vance Of the state road laws this
year, according to Il statement issued
here today by j. J. Ermatinger, secre.
tary.
Numerous instances of persons
driving tractors or other heavy ma
cninery equipped with cleats, lugs
and blocks have been called to the
attention of the highway commission,
Ermatinger said. All such persons are
violating u new law passed last win
ter for the protection Of the high
ways and are subject to arrest and
punishment.
Instead Of attempting to enforce
the law by making arrests, however,
the department has decided TO APP
peal to the good sense and judgment
VI tractor drivers, asking them to
obey the law and help keep the roads
in good condition.
Many Complaints Received
During the last month the depart
ment has received numerous com
plants from its patrOlmen that trac-
tors will sharp clcats have driven
on the lads and torn up the road
bed Ermatinger said. THE dam
age is particularly heavy after n
ram. Under such circumstances it
is harder to keep the roads in good
condition.
"The law prevents any vehicle with
a block, stud, flnge or cleat on it,
rims from using the highways. Farm
machinery, the tires of which do not
IMPURE the highway, Is exempt. The
use OF chains of reasonable proper
tions on motor vehicles to prevent
skidding or sliding also is permitted
Farm machinery has been construed
to mean binders, mowers and similar
instruments but does not include
tractors.
"Violation Of the law is punishable
by fine of not more than $lOO.OO
or not more than 10 days imprisOn-
menr for the first offense. For a
second offense, within year, the
punishment is fine of not more
than $4,000 or prison term Of not
more than 20 days. For third Of
Tense. the tine Is not more than
S5Dn.U0 or Imprisonment for not
more than six months.
People Expected to Cooperate
"Of course, this department could
enforce the law very stringently but
We feel that most Of the peop.e OF
,n.s STATE want good roads and that
when they are fully advised OF the
Jaw and ITS true purpose they Will
cooperate with our department IN
cooperate with our department IN
.Ihe use Of cheated machinery on
our improved highways breaks
through the road crust and tears up
the roadbed in such manner that
it can not be maintained properly. In
due time the entire road surface be-
comes corrugated or wash boarded
A wash boarded" road can only be
put in good condition by scaritying
and tearing up the whole road and
rsb053ding the top surface. This in
wolves considerable expense. Ac'
cordingly, we appeal to the public
M-sxsneral and the tractor owners
especially not to do anything to an
irre. the roads. The highways are
owned by all the people of the state
and are built and maintained for the
heuefit of all persons, farmers, city
dweIlers, and car owners, as we'll al
tractor owners.
-IFh;s department is preparing :
little pamphlet which will be sent t.
patrolmen for distribution to trac
tor.dfivers coming on the highway.
SO that they may know the law. II
thxstractor owner does not remove
the cieats or protect the road b!
placing a cyclinder over such cleat:
mare not removable, his name viii
be forwarded to Bismarck headquar
ters by the patrolman. We will ther
make a special appeal to him to OBJ
sorye the law in the future. Afte1
hs-rrceives proper warning any per
son found violating the law will
hase-to make his excuses to tn
S