The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, September 14, 1892, Page 10

SMT EER tae ia a & The F. C. Austin Mfg. Co., of Chicago, Ill., their twelve-horse New Era Excavator, Ditcher and Loader, the Austin road machine, wheeled scrapers, slushers and plows. The Western Wheeled Scraper Co., Aurora, Ill., their road machines, wheeled scrapers, slushers and road plows. The Fleming Mfg. Co.,,Ft. Wayne, Ind., exhibited two road machines, one reversible, the other a one-way machine. The Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Road Machine Co., their machine, and the Lincoln, Neb., Road Machine Co., a new competitor in the field, exhibited a machine. The Chas. W. Melcher Machinery Co., St. Louis, a Gates rock crusher and a steam rock drill. The O. 8. Kelly Co., Springfield, Ohio, a 12-ton steam road roller. The Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., South Bend, Ind., three wagons with varying width of tires. This machinery was put to work on Tuesday, the first day of the con- vention. Thirty carloads of rock suitable for macadam had been shipped | to Chillicothe by rail and the crushers set to work to prepare the macadam. | This proved an interesting feature fer many who had never seen rock | crushers at work, and both machines received many favorablecomments. | The New Era excavator and loader was given the task of removing the earth from the roadway where the macadam was to be laid. Although the | conditions were unfavorable for the working of so large a machine it more | than met the expectations of the crowd of onlookers in the rapidity with | which it saaee the hard roadbed and elevated the dirt into wagons, keep- ing 20 two-horse wagons engaged. A further trial of this machine under more favorable conditions showed that it could do a vast amount of | a im throwing up new road, railroad embankments and making itches, The road machines did a iarge amount of good work. Two of the machines, the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and the Lincoln, Nebraska, were late in getting to Chillicothe. ‘The Lincoln machine did not arrive until a day after the close of the convention. It was put to work, however, and showed that it was a worthy competitor for public favor. The value of wheeled scrapers in making cuts and fills was clearly demonstrated. So long as roads are laid out with so little regard to secur- ing an easy natural grade there will be a large field of usefulness for these implements. The road roller is another machine, the value of which in road con- struction, has been too much lost sight of, and the good work that the two rollers did we are sure will have the effect of widening their use. The | O. 8. Kelly steam roller weighing 12 tons, of course, did much more effi- cient work than the Champion weighing only 5 to 8 tons, but the field of oe of the former is restricted because of the difficulty of getting it about the country over light culverts and bridges. If it could be generally aged after the road machines had done their work of grading and crowning the roadway, even though macadam is not used for surfacing, it would — wonderfully in securing good roads, When such a machine cannot be | ased then by all means a lighter one like the Champion should be. A val- able feature of the steam roller was shown in repairing a worn macadam atreet. By means of strong spikes placed in the large wheels that act as rollers, the macadam was torn and loosened up, then after spreading on : thin layer of new material the roller put the surface in first class con- ition. WIDE TIRES. Following in line with the exhibit of road rollers was one of wagons with wide and narrow tires. Studebaker Bros., South Bend, Ind., sent to) the convention three of their wagons. One with tires 14¢ inches wide; | one with 83-inch tires ; and one with 4-inch tires. Also a street sprinkler with wide tires. A committee comprising Elmo G. Harris, Director School of Mines, Rolla, Mo.; J. L. Erwin, Fulton, Mo.; Mr. Way, Machinist, Chillicothe, Mo.; O. B. Rodgers, Mexico, Mo.; and F. H. Boyd, Marshall, Mo., made a test of the draft of the wagons. A level stripof ground was selected and made mellow with a disc harrow. Then loading the wagons equally with sacked grain to about 4,900 pounds and attaching a dynamometer the test was made with the following results : Width of Tire. Soft Earth. Grass Sod. lt inch.... peeareecicets acececeees O47$ Units 8 inch. Geos --255 units 4 inch. --461 units........ seee--242 units This shows nearly 200 units of power or about one-third in favor of the wide tire. It is evident, therefore, that for heavy teaming the wide tires are much more favorable to the teams on the ordinary dirt roads of the ear? but by far the most important consequence from using wide tires would be the saving from destruction of the road surface ; for the increase in draft of the narrow tires is due simply to cutting into the earth, thus causing ruts along which the water runs the length of the hill side, forming large gullies, and on level eae collecting the water in mud holes. Those who witnessed the test, without exception, so far as heard from, expressed themselves as favorable to the use of wagons with wide tires for heavy teaming. BURNT CLAY FOR WAGON ROADS. The delegates were much disappointed in not seeing the burnt clay, such as is used for railroad ballast, as had been promised. The Western Burnt Clay Ballast Co. had agreed to have several carloads of the material on the grounds to be used on a section of street that its merits as road eur- face material might be examined and tested. Business complications pre- vented the carrying out of the plan. There is a growing impression that in our clays we have an abundance of first-class road material waiting for man’s genius to tell how it must be manipulated and used. THE DISCUSSIONS. The first session for the discussion of ways and means for road improvement was held on the night of Tuesday, August 16, in the Opera House. A large audience was assembled when the Hop. H. C. Ireland, of Chillicothe, member of the Board of Agriculture for the second district, called the house to order. After prayer — Mr. McIlroy, Mayor Hoppe took occasion to warmly welcome to Chillicothe those attending the con- vention. The purpose for which the convention was called, he said, was the most important that could occupy the public mind. Hence, he was glad to extend the hospitalities of the city to the visitors, and to assure them that the citizens would all gladly do what theygcould to make their stay pleasant and profitable. The Hon, W. F. Switzler followed the mayor in remarks emphasizing the pleasure the neople of Chillicothe felt in entertaining her visitors. He said the cultivation of the amenities of life was recognized by all civilized nations a3 among the highest duties. Hence, it was that an expression of the pleasure felt on that occasion was preper. It made no difference what might otherwise divide the people, on the subject of good roads all were agreed, as to our need, and whatever might be done by this convention to hasten road improvement would be hailed with delight. J. A. Potts, President of the Board of Agriculture, being unwell, Secretary Chubbuck responded to the addresses of welcome. BROAD DRAINAGE, J. L. Erwin, President State Roads Improvement Association, was called on to discuss ‘Sub and Surface Drainage of Roads.” Mr. Erwin is regarded as one of the best authorities on practical road work in the State, and his remarks were listened to with interest. An immense amount of money, he said, was spent in road work that was worse than wasted, because of lack of drainage. ater is the great destroyer of roads, and must be t from the surface as quickly as — and kept from the roadbed. urface drainage is accomplished by having the roadway properly graded up and crowned, the surface rolled, and by use of wide tires and constant repairs preserved from ruts and gullies. Sub-surface drainage can be accomplished by the use of drain tile laid along the roadbed. The 7 maps then proceeded to tell how the ditches should be dug and the tile laid to do effective work. Dig as small a ditch as possible. Lay the tile so there will be no pockets. Use small rather than — tile, because costing less money, less freight, less labor in laying, and will be easier flushed and cleansed by heavy rains. In nine cases ont of ten our Missouri roads receive drainage from adjoining land, instead of being drained. _ After providing for a session the next morning at 8 o’clock at which time a committee was to be appointed to consider suggestions looking to changes in the road law, the convention adjourn. MORNING SESSION, aUGusT 17, S os Treland called the convention to order and submitted an invitation ie ie — to visit the State Industrial Home for Girls, located | _ Mr. Alex. Maitland, member of the Board of Agriculture for the third district, expiained the relation of the convention to the Board of Agri culture. It was called by and held under the direction of the Board, and for the purpose of learning what the sentiment of the people of the State Was relative to amendments to and changes in the road law. was desired that there should be a free expression of Opinion on, and a discussion of, the questions submitted. _ President Potts then took the chair and expressed hia gratification at being present on an occasion of this character, and that the Board decided to hold the convention in Chillicothe. Levy Chubbuck offered the following resolution : “* That the chairman of the convention appoint a committee of six, to whom shall be submitted in writing proposed amendments to or chang s tae as law, the ein ates to consider these and at a later sessic: submit to the convention for approval a report embodyi estions to the next General Assembly.” <i os sialic _ This being carried, the chair appointed on the committee, B. U Massey, of Greene county, J. L. Erwin, of Callaway county, W. H. Davis of Henry county, J. W. Mansfield, Buchanan county, S. E. Kendell, oi Audrain county, and J. L. Brasfield, of Putnam county. For a time a desultory discussion was carried on. It was suggested by one that there could be no effective road law until the constitution was changed allowing the raising of more revenue for road purposes, Mr Ireland hoped the convention would favor an cmendment to the consti- | tution. J. L. Erwin said that road improvement could only be carried forward | to a sufficient extent with funds raised by issuing bonda. Henry county, asked if counties could do this. Answer: Only when debt 1s less than five per cent, of the valuation. Mr. Davis opposed the issu- ance of bonds for road improvement purposes. Erwin defendcd the policy, knowing, he said, that it was unpopular. Baron, of Livingston county, and Terrill, of Macon, both strongly opposed, Robinson, of Jackson county, said we must have roads, and asked where are we to get the money? Our hands are now tied. Missouri must wake up. W. H. Davis, of THE LOCATION OF ROADS. Elmo G. Harris, Director School of Mines, Rolla, Missouri, presented a paper on “ The Location of Roads,” that was well received, presenting as it did a phase of the road improvement subject which, heretofore, has been too much lost sight of. Unquestionably a great and almost irrepar- able mistake has been made in this and other States by locating roads on section and other straight lines, regardless of natural grade. This and other papers will form a part of this report. NIGHT SESSION, AUGUST 17, At the beginning of the night session Prof. Purinton, of the State University, assisted by Mr. Barron, of Mooresville, presented some stere- opticon views of good and bad roads. The bad ones were all of American roads, some of them of Missouri, while the good ones were, with one or two exceptions, taken from photographs of European roads, The contrast was more striking than creditable. Following this Mr. Edgar S. Barnes, chairman Committee on High- ways of the Missouri Division of the League of American Wheelmen, presented a paper on “ What the L. A. W. is Doing to Advance the Cause of Good Roads.” Few of our people have any conception of what this organization of bicyclers is doing toward developing sentiment in favor of good roads ; hence, the statements of Mr. Barnes were a surprise. Unques- tionably the L. A. W. is proving a most important factor in road improve- ment, FIVE MINUTE TALKS. The remainder of the session was occupied with five minute speaches. Dr. E. D. Porter, Dean of the Agricultural College, led off in behalf of dirt roads, which, he said, must be our main dependence for a long time to come, and which, if properly made and managed, were pretty fair roads after all for a good portion of the year. G. W. Waters, Ralls county, commended the necessity of good drain- age of roads. ©. Thorp, Platte county, argued that competent men should be employed for road work. W. S. Jewett, Jefferson county, said, that road talk for North Missouri would not apply in his county. We must do the work when needed. J. P. Shell, of Audrain county, said the serious question is where is the money coming from with which to build roads ? ethought, however, that when we learned how to make good use of what money was = are in road work that the legislature would be willing to provide what was needed. H. C. Ireland did not favor wide roads ; it cost too much to keep them in good repair and tidy. J. J. Robinson, Jackson county, wanted wide roads, but would only work a roadway wide enough to accommodate the traffic. Locate the roads on a straight shoot to town. Alex. Maitland, Ray county, told of the very excellent effect produced on a certain road in his county by putting a row of drain tile along the centre of the roadbed. MORNING SESSION, AUGUST 18. The convention was called to order by H. C. Ireland. Letters were read from Col. Stone, Major Warner and Mr. L. Leonard, also a telegram from Governor Francis. The secretary submitted to the convention some letters received from railroad companies relative to the transportation of road making material at a low rate. It being suggested by some of the railroad managers that by having a conference with the managers some satisfactory arrangement might be made, on motion the chair appointed a committee of three, comprising B. U. Massey, of Springfield, Missouri, B. H. Bonfoey, Unionville, Missouri, and Levi Chubbuck, to confer with managers of railroads on this matter. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY COMMISSION. Through the courtesy of General Roy Stene, of New York, a copy of the National Highway Commission Bill was submitted to the convention, and a vote of approval taken, after which Mr. T. Butterworth, of the peer Agriculturist, Quincy, Illinois, offered the following which was opted : WHEREAS :—Good roads have touched the hearts of all classes of our citizens, and WHEREAS :—The World's Columbian Exposition affords the great opportunity to advance that important interest ; Resolved, That the Missouri Good Roads Convention now in session urge thata @ good roads congress be held next year at Chicago under the auspices of the World's Congress Auxilary to secure the ablest engineers and good road specialists of the world to discuss this important subject ; Resolved, That this Convention indorse the memorial to Congress by Col. Albert A. Pope and other Good Road workers praying for a Good Roads Department at the World’s Columbian Exposition, and we urge upon the management to make such department for a collection of all the Good Road exhibits in one grand collection worthy of the great cause. THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT. The committee of six being now ready to report, Chairman Massey submitted the following: Your committee, to whom has been referred the matter of suggesting to the legislature the leading features of a road law now demanded by the necessities of the people, beg leave to report that in the short time now at the command of the committee, they can but briefly outline the main points in the new law, the material changes in the laws we already have, which in the opinion of the committee, will in a great measure meet the pressing wants of the people upon the subject : First, We recommend that roads be classified into three grades or classes: Macadam, gravel or turnpike roads shall be of the first class. Well-graded or thoroughly drained dirt roads shall be of the second class, and ordinary ditched or graded dirt roads shall be of the third class. Second, Roads of the first class shall be constructed in sections of not less than one mile in length upon a petition of the majority of the property-owners abutting the same and not less than twenty-five per cent. of the costs thereof to be paid by said property-owners or by voluntary subscription. Third, Roads of the second and third classes to be built entirely at the cost of the county. Congressional or nmunicipattownships, as near as practical. shall con- 6titute road districts, and roads shall beso near as practicable located on sectional or subdivisional lines, and when, not tical on these lines then according to the topographical and geographical features of the country,and each district shall be in the charge of and under the control of a roaimaker or employe of the | county who shall be employed by and under the control of the county court, except in counties having township organization, in which the work and appointment of road overseers shall be under the control of the township board and in such counties such townships shall constitute a single road district. Fourth, We recommend that all dramshop license be diverted to the road fund of the respective counties in which they are collected ; that the county courts in addition to a poll tax be authorized by !aw to levy and collect a direct tax upon the property of the county not exceeding fifty cents on the $100, to be applied to the Therefore, it | | construction of roads of the second and third classea and to levy and collect such | special tax for the construction of is of the first class, as the voters of the | county or any road district or dist hereof may by a vote for that purpose | determine, the amount of such tax being within. the limit now permitted by the | constitution. Fifth, We would furthe } amount of money now annu ll the attention of our law makers to the enormous expended by our State and the various counties | thereof in the t of costs in criminal cases and would re mend that our | laws in relation to this matter be so amended as to exempt the State from the pay- | ment of any costs in criminal cases, except the salaries of officers, and that the | 8mount of money aved to the State, together with the tax derived from foreign | corporat be div d toa general road fund, to be distributed to the various counties he State. Sixth, In view of the difficulty of raising money in the various counties by | direct ta wherewith to build roads, we submit to this convention the propo- | sition of k the credit of the State to the various counties to the extent of ten | per cent. e assessed value of the property in said county in the way of a bonded | indebted for the purpose of buildir aid roads, and a submission of an amend- ment to our constitution to accomplish this end. Messrs Davis and Kendall of the committee did not accede to the last | proposition. Mr. Massey in his remarks, pending a vote on the report, spoke of the impossibility of raising enough money by direct taxation to improve the | roads as the people were demanding that they should be. The people | Would not submit to so large a direct tax, and unless some other means | could be devised for raising the necessary money, we might as well drop the subject of good roads. He knew that the idea of bonded indebtedness was obnoxious, but could see no other way of getting the money for road improvement. After some further discussion the report was taken up and voted on by | sections, all of which were adopted, with a few minor changes, and then the report as a whole adopted. NIGHT SESSION, aUG@usT 18. Prof. Hiram Phillips, of St. Louis, read a paper on Vitrified Brick for Road Surfacing, that aroused considerable interest and discussion in which the merits of burnt clay for wagon roads were discussed. _ Mr, Erwin referring to a statement in the paper concerning burnt clay and wide tires on heavy wagons—asked if it would not be well to bring about the general use of wide tires because of the good effect on road surface. Mr. Moser, of Moniteau Co., advocated the use of the wide tire and | the rear axles of the wagon longer than the forward one so that by prevent- ing the rear wheels following in track of forward ones, more road surface would be rolled. Prof. Harris recommended mixing way. sand with the clay of the road MORNING SESSION, AUGUST 19. Rev. J. J. Robinson, Jackson Co., presented in a papor Thoughts to Awaken Interest in Good Roads. J. L. Erwin, discussing the paper, spoke of how good roads improved the value of all neighborhood property. Railroad property was made much more valuable by having good wagon roads as feeders ; but in considering this point we must not forget that managers of railroads were men like ourselves, influenced by the same motives, and responsive to courtesies and fair treatment. C. Thorp, Platte Co., read a paper containing many practical sugges- tions on ‘‘ Road and Road Muking.” “National Aid in Road Building,” was the subject of a valuable paper by General Roy Stone, of New York, that was received with marked favor. J. Y. Powell, of Chillicothe, read an excellent paper in line with Gen. Stone’s, aiter which the following resolution was offered and passed : Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention that the general government should make appropriations to facilitate wagon road transportation, the same as she has for water and railway transportation. A vote of thanks was also tendered Gen. Stone for his paper. Abiel Leonard, member of the Board for the seventh district, offered @ resolution favoring the use of convict labor in road construction, which after debate, was adopted. Jas, W. W. Ball, of Carroll Co., offered a resolution asking for an amendment to the State Drainage law which would permit the assessing of land benefited to meet cost of draining even though owners did not peti- tion for the same. Carried. Dr. E. D. Porter offered the following which were adopted : Resolved, That this convention hereby recognize its high appreciation of the zealous and intelligent assistance rendered by the officers and citizens of the city of Chillicothe, in making its meetings a success, and hereby tender its thanks for the same, as well as for the courtesies, and hospitalities most cordially extended. Resolved, That this convention return its thanks to the press of this city, and of the State, for the interest manifested in the objects of the convention, and for the very satisfactory reports of its proceedings. Resolved, That we recognize the valuable assistance rendered to the cause of road improvement in Missouri by the manufacturers of road implements and machinery by the grand display and illustrative workings of the same, and for the interest which they have manifested in the work of the convention. Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby extended to the Chillicothe, Mo., Cycle Club ot the League of American Wheelmen, as well as to the League throughout the United States, for their early and continued efforts in preaching the ‘‘ gospel of good roads” not only in Missouri, but over the entire country. Resolved, That we return the thanks of this convention to the railroads of the State for the transportation granted to its members, and for their expressions of interest in its work, MACHINE MEN’S RESOLUTIONS, PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. At a meeting of the road machine men representing the various companies having machines on exhibition at the Missouri State Road Convention, held at Chil- Bootie, Mo., August 16 to 19, 1892, the following resolutions were unanimously lopted : Wuereas, The citizens of Chillicothe have manifested by their cordial and whole-souled hospitality their appreciation of the important object for which this convention was held by affording us every opportunity for a complete and success- ful exhibition of our machinery, and, WHEREAS, They have gone even farther in the interest they have shown by enerous social welcome extended to us, and W HEREAS:—The State Board of Agriculture, by their untiring energy and inde- fatigable zeal in the cause of good roads, have given us an unexcelled opportunity to bring the merits of our various machines prominently before a large representa- tion of the most influential and practical road officials of the State, and Wuereas :—Mr. Levi Chubbuck and Mr. H. C. Ireland are more especially entitled to our gratitude for their unwearied efforts to make this convention the success it has been ; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That we do most heartily extend our thanks to one and all, a deep appreciation of the many courtesies and favors shown us, we pledge our continued co-operation with the people of Missouriin their earnest effort for the improvement of their public highways. We do both hope and believe that this movement will result in adding happiness and comfort to every citizen in the State, and be it further Resolved, That we recognize the L. A. W. in every locality as one of the greatest auxiliaries to ‘oad improvement. : W.T. Beatty, F. C. Austin Mfg. Co. N. P. Eckues, Fleming Mfg. Co. H. C. Fairpanks, Chas. W. Melcher M’ch'ry Co. Gero. B. SiiaRP, Western Wheel Scraper Co. W. H. Preimer, O, S. Kelly Co. J. W. HoLianp, Mt. Pleasant Road Grader Co. Geo. M. Watcu. Lincoln Road Grader Mfg. Co, F. E. Bowman, Studebaker Bros. T. W. Suita, Hunt & Adams. J.J. Robinson moved a vote of thanks to Mezsrs. Ireland and Chub- buck for the work done in connection with the convention. Carried, Mr. Barron moved a vote of thanks of the people of Missouri to the Board of Agriculture for what had been done to advance the cause of good toads in the state. Carried by a rising vote after which the convention adjourned sine die. the THE WHEELMEN’S MEET. A feature of the convention of more than ordinary significance was the gathering of bicyclers. _ All do not fully appreciate to what extent credit is due the users of bicycles for the great interest that is being taken in good roads. So, wizh- ing to see all the allies in the good cause united, the Board of Agriculture was glad to have the Chillicothe Cycle Club arrange for the bicycle meet so that mutual acquaintance could be extended. _ The C. C. C. was only lately organized, but, composed as it isof young, j active men and women, they were not long in arranging for a meet which compued visitors from St. Louis, Kangas City, and other distant points in the State. Arun of several miles into the country, a street parade, a series of races at the fair grounds and a banquet were provided by the C. C. C. for the entertainment of their guests. All of which were encse~ fully carried on*. {| } Ca Re