MICHIGAN ROADS AND FORESTS 



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 ment. There is no wagon built which can show an equal record in durability and strength. 



The points of superiority in Watson Wagons are so many that we cannot outline them in 

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 dumping wagons, for theyare first in improved features and proven value. 



Watson Wagon Co., Canastota, N. Y. 



Michigan Road Makers' Association 



W. W. Todd, Jackson, President; P. T. Colgrove, Hastings, First Vice-P resident ; C. C. Rosenbury, Bay City, Second 

 Vice-President ; E. N. Hines, Detroit, Secretary; E. B. Smith, Detroit, Treasurer. 



Board of Governors: Royal T. Taylor, Cheboygan; D. L. Case, Detroit; Frank F. Rogers, Lansing; W. W. 

 Trayes, Hancock. 



COMMISSIONER ELY'S PLATFORM. ting a lot of valuable information on good roads, the good. roads committee, having experienced no 



When Townsend A. Ely took charge ot the which they intend to put to practical use next serious setbacks through complications of any 

 office of State Highway Commissioner this month, year, when Grand Traverse county will begin kind. Were funds available, another mile could 

 his rirst act was to appoint his office force. F. the building of permanent highways. The com- be built in time for the beet hauling season next 

 F. Rogers was re-appointed deputy, and Floyd missioners are conducting a campaign of educa- fall, but under the statutes the committee is not 

 Crandall, formerly of the auditor genearl's office, tion along good roads lines, which is bringing allowed to proceed further and still be in a posi- 

 and whose home is in St. Louis, was appointed the movement lots of support. The papers of tion to demand the $1,000 state reward. How- 

 chief clerk. Leroy C. Smith, of Benzie county, the county are doing their share in spreading ever, of the $5,000 placed at their disposal in ad- 

 was appointed assistant engineer, and Miss Irene the doctrine of good highways, for which they dition to the $1,000 reward money received from 

 McArthur retains her position as stenographer, are to be commended. the state for the mile built last year, they have 



Commissioner Ely says that he will try to do now nearly $2,000 worth of material on the 



the work of the department with this force and GOING AT IT RIGHT. ground to be used in the construction of the 



will employ no one to circulate petitions in the The township in which Ravenna, Muskegon nl >' e to be built next year. 



counties desiring good roads as has been the county, is located is about to issue $35,000 worth , _ 



policy of the former administration. of bonds. These bonds, which will run 25 years, HAS THE PROPER SPIRIT. 



"I do not desire to force something on the and be paid at the rate of $2,000 a year, will be The township of Sand Beach, Huron county, 



people they do not want and it will be up to the used to build good roads over the entire town- has taken a strong hold of the splendid idea of 



people in the counties in which good roads are ship. improved highways. This dates from two years 



needed to prepare their petitions and secure the In the past, the township has raised about $3,- ago when Geo. J~ Jenks, president of the Huron 



signers to be presented to the board of supervis- 000 a year in cash for roads besides the $1,750 Milling Co.. suggested to the business people that 



ors. I promise a thoroughly business administra- which was worked out. It is figured that, with a mile of improved highway be built by private 



tion and will devote all time to the interests of the state reward, the township will' be able to subscription, to demonstrate the wisdom of such 



the people. build all the roads it needs and the farmers and a move. The mile of stone highway running west 



I will say htat the office has been well kept,' 1 others will be able to use them while paving for from the village limits is the monument that has 



said Mr. Ely. "The files are in nice order, the them. At the same time, the rate of payment done the work of waking up the business people 



road maps and the great mass of data accumu- is less than the amount annually raised, while and farmers, and Sand Beach township will, in 



lated in the office are in good shape and very the $1,750 worked out will probably maintain time, be webbed with splendid roads, 



comprehensive." the roads and make the necessary repairs. The Huron Milling Company has purchased 



This seems like an excellent plan on the face a steam road roller from the Port Huron Engine 



IMPROVING ROADS IN BRANCH. of it, being very much like "eating your cake & Thresher Works which it has offered to loan 



Seth B. Randall, highway commissioner for and having it too." Those who need them will to the township road commissioners and to road 



Coldwater township, Branch county, has com- have the roads, their taxes will not be increased contractors for use in making improved high- 



pleted a fine piece of work on the Battle Creek but the value of their property will. ways in the township. Several miles of im- 



road. The improvement extends form the north Perhaps other townships throughout the state proved highways will be built this year, and the 



city limits at State street, Coldwater, to the will follow this bonding plan and instead of wait- township will lead all others in the county. 



Girard line. The hills have been cut down to ing years for a complete township road system, 



n the grades and the low places filled and will have it in a very short time. HOUGHTON WANTS GOOD ROADS. 



widened. At Mud Creek, where there was a sag The township of Eckford, Calhoun county, is An earnest campaign for good roads is going 



on both sides of the bridge, the roadway has going to build a macadam road two miles and on in Houghton county. There is a great amount 



been raised to a level with the bridge. The soil thirty-two rods long. When bids were opened of good road work being done and Houghton and 



is mostly gravel and hardpan and will make a only one appeared, that of the Porath Company Portage township have their share. The most 



very good road. Marshall road is also in first of Detroit, who asked $1.11 per linear foot, ambitious bit of real work at present going on in 



class condition, so that there will now be two This was too high to suit the board and the bid the township is the new road in front of the 



good roads from the north leading into Cold- was turned down. The road will now doubtless Lake View addition, fronting Portage lake east 



water. be built by Eckford residents. The state reward of the Park addition. This road is being wid- 



of $1.000 per mile will be asked for. ened to sixty-six feet, will be macadamized and 



CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION. covered with tarvia under state specifications. 



Kalkaska county roads were inspected recently TUSCOLA HAS ANOTHER MILE OF The township is preparing to continue the road 



by the good roads commission of Grand Traverse STATE REWARD ROADS. east to the township line, which will bring it 



county. There were seven gentlemen in the Profiting by the experience gained in construct- past the golf club. The township share of the 



party : County Road Commissioners Frank Ham- ing the first mile of state reward stone road last road will probably not be treated with tarvia as 



ilton and Chas. H. Estes ; Supervisors Edwin year, the second mile running northeast of Caro yet, but will otherwise be a fine road and as the 



Black, T. H. Buell and Ralph Hicks; Highway toward Pattison's Corners has just been com- whole is a direct continuation of the College 



Commissioner Warren Routsong, and R. H. Els- pleted in much less time and a trifle less in cost, avenue and Shelden pavements it will constitute 



w-orth. Messrs. Eckler, Marshall and Atkins. Last year's job cost approximately $4,600 while an automobile course which will not be surpassed 



Kalkaska's road commissioners, came in for a the mile just completed runs a trifle over $4,000. in the county. In Otter lake, the township is 



lot of praise. Under the supervision of J. G. Harvey the work building a long stretch of good road for the 



The commissioners of Grand Traverse are get- has been carried on to the entire staisfaction of benefit of the farmers. 



