Commissioner Snow Reports on State Roads
Recommends that the present highway board be abolished and gives status of present roads
Wenatchee Daily World
Olympia, Jan. 12, 1909

In his biennial report to the governor submitted today State Highway Commissioner J. Snow recommends the abolishment of the present state highway board, composed of the state auditor, state treasurer and highway commissioner. He points out that it is impossible for the auditor and treasurer to make a personal inspection of the work being done in the field, and that if a highway board is to be maintained it should he composed of engineers who can devote their whole time to the duties of the department.

Mr. Snow doubts if the results obtained would justify the additional expense of a highway board of engineers, and as the highway commissioner is held entirely responsible for the execution of the details of construction work, he recommends that all matters connected with the department be placed in the hands of the highway commissioner. He also recommends that the salary of the office be made $4000 a year and that an increase he allowed in the office force.

Automobiles Destroy Roads.

In his report Mr. Snow says there are two road destroyers, the narrow tired wagon and the automobile when driven at high speed. He urges a law requiring wide tires and the regulation of automobile speed, and the payment of an annual license fee by the latter to assist in maintenance of the expensive roads which they use for speeding purposes. Mr. Snow recommends an amendment providing that the maintenance of state roads shall devolve upon the state and be paid for from the public highway fund and that road fines be paid into the public highway fund.

At present the state has 1081 miles of state road established and surveyed. The estimated cost of building these roads is $4,500,000. With the present revenue of $374,000 per annum one-half of which goes to state roads, it will take approximately 24 years to complete these established roads. Mr. Snow, therefore, recommends that the levy for the highway fund be increased 1 million. The commissioner reports that the proposed road and bridges connecting the county roads of Island and Skagit counties are feasible, hut questions the utility of the project.

Approval is given the proposed road beginning at Hoodsport in Mason county, and extending to Duckabush, Jefferson county. The proposed road from Woodland. Cowlitz county, extending up the north bank of the Lewis river to the mouth of the Big Muddy, is feasible, he says, and of great local utility.

Leavenworth Road Not Feasible.

The proposed route for a state road beginning at Leavenworth and extending over Icicle pass to the north fork of the Cle Elum river in Kittitas county is not feasible, he says, on account of heavy grades. The proposed wagon road providing connection between Pomeroy and the southern part of Garfield and Asotin counties is recommended. An investment of $100,000 will provide work for 400 convicts and enable communities in different parts of the state to secure rock material at 35 cents per cubic yard.

Urges Liberal Appropriation.

Liberal appropriations are recommended for road No. 5, known as the Cowlitz-Naches road. Road No. 7, known as the Snoqualmie pass road, beginning at North Bend and extending to Easton and an important link in the proposed state road between Seattle and Spokane, and No. 8. otherwise known as the. Columbia river road, which begins at Washougal and terminates at Goldendale. It will traverse the Cascade range at a summit elevation of not more than 500 feet, and is considered the. most important trans-mountain road. The Montesano-Port Angeles road cannot be opened for traffic for less than $1,000,000, but is reported by the commissioner to be a worthy project and entitled to consideration.