434 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



a good macadam road at one-eighth the cost of construction. How- 

 ever, if the township or county is not able to meet the expenditure 

 without borrowing, 1 question the feasibility of issuing bonds for 

 that purpose. Even though our posterity would reap benefit from 

 such permanent improvements and would not object to sharing the 

 cost, I should much prefer using the means within reach, rather than 

 encumber posterity. 



A change in the Act, putting the entire cost of macadam roads 

 on the St^te, leaving the townships and counties free to use their 

 means for the improvement of roads, not within reach of the State 

 appropriation, would thus benefit those who would receive slight 

 benefit from the macadam road. If the right policy prevails, this 

 will be done and as much money will be available from these sources 

 as can well be expended for the purpose from year to year. Ex- 

 perience shows that there is a limit to State aid, requested, and this 

 will doubtless be the case as long as the counties and townships are 

 requested to pay part of the cost, as small as that cost is. 



The sentiment in favor of improvement has been greatly strength- 

 ened within the past three or four 3'ears. It almost amounts to a 

 general demand, and while we cannot have $50,000,000 (as in the 

 case of New York State) for immediate use, the appropriation can 

 safely, and should, be increased many millions a year. State High- 

 way Commissioner Hunter has commenced a general survey of all 

 the roads in Pennsylvania, for the purpose of compiling a new map, 

 showing their length and location. As there are 99,041 miles of 

 road in the State, it will require several years to complete the 

 survey. A.ccording to the best authority at hand, we have 97,904 

 miles mud road, and 1,101 miles of toll road, 2,267 miles of macadam 

 road completed, 162 miles contracted. Only one county in the State 

 that has not applied for State aid, that of Juniata. 



Every other county in the State ha^ made appliaction for its 

 portion of the road fund, as well as its share of the |125,000 set 

 aside for its maintenance. Allegheny and several other counties 

 which asked for funds last year failed to secure their share by 

 neglect of the County Commissioners to apply within the time 

 limit. 



Applications on file for State aid in building roads represent 2,267 

 miles, and of these Commissioner Hunter expects to build 200 miles 

 this year, in addition to the 200 miles already constructed or under 

 way. It has been decided to use part of the automobile license 

 receipts for road building. The fund already amounts to |24,000, and 

 is expected to reach |30,000 each year. The annual license fee is 

 $3.00. 



Too much cannot be said in regard to using wide tired road 

 wagons for hauling heavy loads. The wide tire acts as a roller 

 on dirt roads, and entitles the user to one-fourth his road tax, not 

 exceeding $20.00. 



To build a satisfactory earth road, if loose earth is dumped in the 

 middle of the road and consolidated by traffic, the action of narrow 

 tired wheels rolls it into uneven ruts and ridges, which hold water, 

 and ultimately results, if in the winter season, in a sticky, muddy 

 surface, or if it be in the dry season, in covering the surface with 

 several inches of dust. If, however, the surface is prepared with a 

 road machine and properly rolled with a heavy roller, it can usually 



