Mr. CABLE. That does not include the inspectors who go over these roads? Mr. MACDONALD. Yes, sir. We do not maintain a large force in any of the States. Mr. CABLE. They do not try to inspect each Federal aid road more than once a year, do they? Mr. MACDONALD. Yes; from two to three inspections annually are made on completed roads, and on roads under construction inspections are made approximately once a month. Mr. ROBSION. There are not many miles to cover yet, are there? Mr. MACDONALD, On the 1st of March nearly 15,000 of completed roads, 10,000 of which has all been paid for, and in addition about an equal mileage under construction. Mr. SUMMERS. Undoubtedly one inspector could cover many miles a day? Mr. MACDONALD. Yes, sir. We keep the organiaztion as low as possible. The CHAIRMAN. Are they all practical men? Mr. MACDONALD. They are all highway engineers. The CHAIRMAN. I say, are the men who inspect the roads all practical road men? Mr. MACDONALD. Yes, sir. They are all required to pass the civil-service examination for highway engineers. The CHAIRMAN. I want to ask you if the Government participates in building roads that cost $1,000 a mile or less? Mr. MACDONALD. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. They do not go as low as that at all? Mr. MACDONALD. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. There have not been built any dirt roads, I now ask-clay roads? Mr. MACDONALD. I have a statement here of the average cost of all the roads. The CHAIRMAN. I mean, are there roads built of clay, that is just crowned up, etc., in connection with Government expenditures? Mr. MACDONALD. We do not participate in that class of work. No, sir. Mr. SUMMERS. What is the lowest cost of any of the roads to which Federal aid is given? Evidently with the clay and with the gravel immediately at hand the cost might be low in building some of that class of roads. Mr. DOUGHTON. Have you so far had any difficulty in getting the various highway authorities to keep their roads maintained? Mr. SUMMERS. May I have an answer to my question first? Mr. MACDONALD. The sand-clay and gravel types of roads, of course, are the cheapest type. I have a complete statement of this cost for the committee, and also some group statements setting forth the cost. They are shown below. Summary of Federal aid projects completed and payment made. [Explanation of items: Total cost, all charges reported as construction cost; Federal aid, all payments made by the Federal Government; grading, all charges for clearing, grubbing, excavation, etc.; paving, cost of pavement in place; shoulders, cost of shoulder material where segregated from paving costs; structures, bridges, culverts, drain pipe, guard rail, retaining walls, etc.; engineering, expense of engineering supervision during construction-full costs not always reported by State highway departments.] Summary of paving costs of Federal aid projects completed and payment made Dec. 31, 1921. [Explanation of items: Cost of surfacing, the entire cost of surfacing placed and percentage of the total expenditure with the percentage of cost paid from Federal and State funds. |