braska, 1; New York, 19; Oklahoma, 6; Ohio, 1; Pennsylvania, 4; Tennessee, 4; Virginia, 11; West Virginia, 4; Canada, 1; United States Reclamation Service, 1; United States Navy Department, 1; and United States War Department, 2.

Their influence is undoubtedly shown in the production of better and more uniform materials on the part of the manufacturers.

While great progress has been made in the improvement of methods of bituminous road treatment and construction during recent years, the subject is still in a stage of development, and the trained experts in this class of work are comparatively few. For this reason, and for the purpose of a better collaboration between laboratory experiments and field work, it becomes necessary for members of the laboratory force to spend a portion of their time in the field. During the fiscal year 68 assignments were made for the purpose of making inspections, giving advice, or supervising work on bituminous projects. These assignments covered 14 States and the District of Columbia, as follows: District of Columbia, 16; Georgia, 1; Idaho, 1; Illinois, 5; Iowa, 4; Maine, 2; Maryland, 6; Massachusetts, 1; New Jersey, 4; New York, 18; Ohio, 1; Pennsylvania, 1; South Carolina, 2; Tennessee, 1; and Virginia, 5.

The great increase in work accomplished over the previous year was largely due to improvement in working facilities after moving into the building at present occupied by the office, and also to the active interest taken by each member of the laboratory force in systematizing and improving its organization. Much time and thought has been put upon methods of perfecting each detail of the functions of the laboratory as related to the work of other branches of the office and the cooperation of the assistant chemists in this matter, which involved considerable unsolicited overtime work freely given, should receive high commendation.

But two additions to the laboratory force were made, one a laboratory helper appointed to replace the former helper who was assigned to the testing laboratory and a student assistant whose services were not secured until the latter part of June. The muchregretted resignation on November 1 of the assistant director, who had been directly in charge of the laboratories, brought the actual number of employees lower, therefore, than in the preceding year. At the close of the past fiscal year the force consisted of a chemist in charge, two assistant chemists, one student assistant, and one laboratory helper.

With the organization of the force thus far accomplished, it is hoped to increase largely the value of the laboratory through the continuation of the investigations already under way, and the institution of new researches, which are at present under contemplation. While there may have been an apparent contraction in the scope of work during the past year, it has become necessary to concentrate effort upon problems dealing principally with bitumens and their application to road construction and maintenance in order to meet the growing demand for information upon this subject. Judging from the results of the past few years, the routine work of the laboratory should largely increase in volume. For example, the standardization of methods is a matter of paramount importance demanding lengthy research; the study of the effect of essential con

stituents in bituminous products is a matter for continued research, and the economic utilization of waste products in road construction is yet another important field for investigation. All this will cause the need for a gradual increase in the laboratory force.

With a view to increasing the efficiency of the present and future force, the organization of classes for outside study along lines that are particularly desirable or necessary for broadening one's knowledge in his chosen field will be undertaken. Seminars will also be held at stated intervals for the purpose of discussing current publications on road problems, as well as for the presentation of original papers by members of the laboratory force, and the discussion of methods for the improvement in the organization and efficiency of the work.

SPECIAL INSPECTION AND ADVICE.

There are many difficult problems which arise in connection with road work which can best be solved by local officials. after inspection and advice from the engineers, experts, and chemists of this office. The office has an arrangement by which assignments are made for this purpose, after applications have been received from road officials having jurisdiction over the roads to be improved.

Under this project 183 special assignments were made during the year, as follows: Alabama, 5; Arkansas, 2; California, 3; Delaware, 1; Florida, 4; Georgia, 4; Idaho, 3; Illinois, 1; Kansas, 5; Kentucky, 2; Louisiana, 39; Maine, 7; Maryland, 15; Massachusetts, 4; Minnesota, 2; Mississippi, 8; Nebraska, 4; New Hampshire, 1; New Jersey, 1; New York, 4; North Carolina, 5; Oklahoma, 4; Oregon, 1: Rhode Island, 2; South Carolina, 11; Tennessee, 9; Texas, 20; Virginia, 12; West Virginia, 3; and Wyoming, 1.

The work done under the above assignments may be classified as follows: Advice in regard

(1) To various methods of road construction, including macadam, gravel, earth, sand clay, bituminous, slag, brick, and oiled gravel. (2) To surveys for the proper location of roads.

(3) To the use of prisoners on roads and their management during the work.

(4) To the preliminary inspection of local conditions and the location of requested object-lesson roads.

(5) To experiments in new methods of construction.

(6) To the construction of bridges and culverts.

(7) To planning model systems of roads for counties and the best methods of their construction, maintenance, and administration. (8) To bond issues for supplying the funds for road construction. (9) To the use of the split-log drag.

(10) To the investigation and testing of road materials.

In addition to the above classified assignments the office sent its engineers to various States for the purpose of

(11) Inspecting bituminous-macadam roads.

(12) Inspecting oiled-gravel roads.

(13) Inspecting oil-mixed concrete roads.

(14) Special inspection of various State roads already constructed. (15) Preliminary study of conditions surrounding proposed intercounty or trunk-line roads.

Under the last item special mention should be made of the four following contemplated roads:

(1) Portions of the Memphis-to-Bristol Highway, in Tennessee, approximately 540 miles.

(2) A portion of the Central Highway in Carteret County, N. C., running from Beaufort to Craven County line, approximately 15 miles.

(3) A portion of the Charlotte-Wilmington Highway, in Columbus and Robeson Counties, N. C., approximately 95 miles.

(4) A portion of the route from Omaha, Nebr., to Julesburg, Colo., in Merrick County, approximately 50 miles.

Special surveys were made during the year in the following States: North Carolina, 2; Florida, 1; Tennessee, 2; and Nebraska, I.

This branch of the work is constantly growing in importance. The staff of engineers, chemists, and experts of the office is developing into an effective corps of consulting specialists capable of offering reliable and effective advice concerning difficult and special problems which are not easily handled by local authorities. In this connection the work done in the State of Louisiana deserves special mention. Beginning with the construction of 16,200 feet of road at Pineville, in 1909, this office has been of assistance on roads in no less than 20 parishes, and there has developed in the State a sentiment for good roads sufficient to cause the enactment of a State highway law which provides for a State highway engineer. This law places funds derived from a half-mill tax on all property, approximately $132,354 annually, for use in the construction of roads, on which the various parishes pay one-half the cost. The State law also provides for the use of State prisoners and sets aside the surplus revenue from the oyster and fish and game commissions for use in road construction.

It is also a source of satisfaction to this office that the State of Alabama has established a State highway commission and State highway engineer, with an annual appropriation of $154,000 for building roads.

MODEL SYSTEMS-CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND ADMINIS

TRATION.

MOBILE, ALA.-From January 18, 1911, to March 6, 1911, an engineer from this office made a thorough study of the roads in Mobile County, and in particular of the roads under county supervision in the city of Mobile. Special attention was given to roads lying within the recently extended boundaries of the city. Mobile County has an area of 1,300 square miles and a total of about 2,000 miles of roads, about 1,200 of which are maintained as public roads. Except for a few miles of old shell roads around Mobile and the coast towns to the south, there are no improved roads, though the county is one of the most important in the State. A road map of the country was prepared and a general study of the topography, drainage, and superficial geology was undertaken. Recommendations based upon an analysis of the data obtained included suggestions for the development of park systems about the city of Mobile, the management of streets in the city subdivisions, and the treatment of bridges erected previous to 1900. Positive recommendations were submitted con

cerning the kind and order of road construction to be undertaken. In view of the general deficiency of clay deposits it was advised that gravel or stone roads be built wherever the present earth roads could not be made to serve for a term of years. The construction of 32 roads of various kinds, having a total length of 1193 miles and intended to supply the needs of 81 per cent of the population outside of Mobile, was suggested in some detail. The item of bridges to be built in the future received careful attention. Emphasis was placed upon the matter of maintenance in relation to the existing law, and general suggestions looking toward better methods of construction were offered.

WETUMPKA, ALA.-During September and October, 1910, an examination of the road conditions in Elmore County was made and suggestions were submitted for their improvement. Due consideration was given to the geographical conditions and the topography, together with the deposits of road materials within the county and the present financial condition. Upon the information developed along these lines a system was outlined. This system involves the issue of bonds to provide a road system of the greatest possible mileage within the resources of the county. Construction of sand-clay roads was recommended and a map was prepared locating roads to nearly every settlement and reaching every market, so as to serve approximately 97 per cent of the entire area involved. Advice was offered concerning the betterment of the county road administration and detailed specifications were made up for the construction of sandclay roads and concrete culverts. A system of 39 roads, totaling 209 miles, at a cost of $201,486, was projected. The character and order of construction, the number of culverts, and other details for all the above roads were worked out and their separate costs estimated.

DADE COUNTY, FLA.-Assistance and advice from this office was given to this county during January, 1911, with a view to systematizing the construction of county roads.

BROOKHAVEN, Miss.-The time of the engineer from this office at this point was partly occupied in prospecting for the best deposits of road gravel nearest to the various roads which it was contemplated to improve under an authorized issue of $150,000 in bonds. The proceeds from the bond issue are to be expended under certain legal provisions, viz, that the road shall be let out by contract after having been surveyed by a competent engineer, and after plans, specifications, and estimates have been made. The services of the engineer from this office were also furnished in drawing up specifications and rendering other general assistance.

ALBUQUERQUE, N. MEX.-An investigation was made during July, 1910, of the highways in Bernalillo County, N. Mex. An examination of the condition of this county showed a valuation of taxable property of about $4,000,000, and a population sparsely distributed, except in the irrigated district, which is about 3 miles wide and extends across the county 25 miles. In this section the population is dense and heavy crops are produced. The revenue for road and bridge purposes in 1909 was approximately $9,000, derived from a levy of 24 mills and a theoretical per capita labor tax of $3. In

addition, the commissioners were required to make a tax levy of a mill or less, to be expended within the county on a thoroughfare to be designated by the Territorial officials, but this road had not, at the time the office was called on for assistance, been so designated. An estimate of the maximum sum available for road and bridge purposes, based on the above conditions, was made and a system for its administration outlined. Specific recommendations as to the improvement of Fourth Street, between Albuquerque and Alameda, a distance of 6 miles, and involving an expenditure of $1,500, were submitted. Estimated costs of permanent roads, for which present industrial conditions indicate a positive demand in the near future, were also made, involving an expenditure of $100,000. This permanent construction will be demanded in the irrigated district for a distance of 25 miles. Finally an emphatic recommendation for the employment of an experienced highway engineer was presented.

HYDRO, OKLA.-At the request of the authorities of Hydro Township, advice was furnished concerning the proposed construction of 10 miles of macadam road leading from the town in three directions. A maximum issue of $30,000 in bonds was contemplated. A study was made of the materials in the vicinity, together with the topographic conditions involved. Advice was furnished concerning a reduction of grades, the treatments of sandy surfaces, the construction of culverts, and the requisite width of macadam surfacing. Especial attention was given to the development of a crushed-stone supply, which seemed to be in a fair way of solution at the departure of the engineer. Further advice was given concerning the employment of county prisoners, the management of grading, and the work of culvert construction. Two miles of roads were surveyed and platted for the assistance of the authorities.

ROBERTSON COUNTY, TENN.-The purpose of this investigation was a reconnoisance survey to determine the most important roads in the county to be first developed, to estimate the detailed mileage cost within an authorized bond issue of $150,000, and to indicate further what roads should be constructed as additional funds became available. To determine the most important roads, a study of the distribution of population was made, together with an investigation of the traffic conditions, and a definite order of the construction of 10 roads was recommended. The type of road determined upon for this county was limestone, water-bound macadam, and an approximate estimate of the cost of construction of the above-mentioned 10 roads was supplied. A plan for future development, involving the improvement of earth-feeder systems and their maintenance, was submitted.

The area of this county is about 475 square miles. There are about 145 miles of main public roads, which can not be greatly reduced. The total road mileage is probably not far from 500 miles and all the roads are of earth. The soil is red or brown clay overlying limestone. There are some deposits of bank gravel, with a low percentage of stone, which would apparently prohibit the use of this material. The principal crop is tobacco, a common load of which is two casks weighing 1,800 pounds each, hauled with four mules. The county has no bonded indebtedness.

ABILENE, TEX.—An engineer from this office was sent to Abilene, Tex., in November, 1910, to outline the installation of a system of