2 BULLETIN 386^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTTJEE. 



For convenient reference the information obtained from the Middle 

 Atlantic States of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania is pub- 

 hshed in this bulletin, leaving the remaining States to be dealt with 

 by groups in subsequent similar publications. These groups have 

 been selected according to their administrative organization for 

 road purposes and according to other conditions affecting road man- 

 agement. 



In order that the statistics may be useful in the highest degree, an 

 explanatory text has been prepared for each State. In connection 

 with the explanation of these statistical tables, the systems of admin- 

 istration, the methods of financing road work, the physical condi- 

 tions influencing road improvement, and the progress made in recent 

 years in the construction of roads and bridges, are set forth in the 

 explanatory chapters. 



WORKING PLAN AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 



The m^ethod of procedure followed in obtaining the information 

 contained in this bulletin was as follows: 



A series of card-inquiry forms, designated A, B, C, and D, cover- 

 ing respectively mileage, taxation and revenues, administrative 

 organization, and bond issues, was prepared and submitted to the 

 various State highway departments for suggestion and approval. 

 After changes were made to meet conditions found to be peculiar to the 

 individual States, supphes of the card forms, with necessary sta- 

 tionery, were sent to each State collaborator, and correspondence 

 was then conducted under Government frank with the respective 

 county and township officials by the collaborators. In many in- 

 stances it was impossible for the collaborators to obtain rephes from 

 all local officials, and accordingly letters and forms were sent directly 

 from this office to such local officials. During the course of the 

 investigation it was found necessary to enHst the aid of local and 

 State road associations, chambers of commerce, automobile clubs, 

 postmasters, and private individuals in order to obtain adequate 

 information. . On account of the absence of detailed records in 

 many of the towns and counties, extreme accuracy is impossible, 

 and because of the large amount of correspondence necessary to 

 conduct the investigation, considerable delay in the issuance of the 

 bulletins has been unavoidable. The data on mileage and revenues 

 should therefore be considered as approximate only. 



A summary sheet for each of the forms A, B, C, and D was prepared 

 for each State at the outset of the investigation, and as the card 

 forms were received from local officials or from the State collabora- 

 tors, the information was entered on the summary sheets under appro- 

 priate headings. These summaries, when completed, were forwarded 



