HINGroT/ gifeHWAYj-. VOL. 2 FEBRUARY 1 953 NO. 8 0t!ral?2!i!2jnc:l". Au'.ifij ^r.e nuMi ou: lou? AiiC- u« iii fv.f itlgliijL oaf i^^ahca cnnu. A fc3( .ufc-.fri'i) ?i!C^ Qvcof vfurtpn (Tot* rcuifut'avJfvT all Haif 3a tiwtorg.ui proaf unt tbutaf. .t^oof fwtt Ijai csiUm'i''-saff) He tiKi' clliija cuo \iaftu rfngrcwv'i m st?af fof an to sff AuiWp forever graJcM 6e. at!fV >^froJ »< can fiuiV l^ui CiU h&f srrvcA uBOgf Eitg^ QPOQ h:,;at c vlH scUft t<ck for alt to ®ft ilbf of ^iw trbo sff acn fret jSic "Abc'upou !:i^' f.'fl'v 9faK ttc qU roifb ovaftful bfQv?<»aai;ijrr(f Aad ^liriv for b.« cxainiporiOB ntafcarrlamUV ^mU'csf ^Cation. .- ■ LINCOLN ROCK. WENATCHEE. WASH. 1323 19 © 23 A. G. SIMMER WENATCHEE LINCOLN ROCK -- WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON ■Prepared by Department of Highways Personnel Office, 220 Transportation Building, Olympia, Washington Arthur B. LangI ie WI 1 ] 1 am A. Bugge Governor Director of Highways Fred G. Redmon, Chairman fashington L. B. Wa]1 ace State R. A. Mo i s 1 o 0. E. Stone Highway Judge Geo> B. Simpson Commission W. C. Pedersen Acting Personnel Officer Wi ll iam Read A1 Sol berg George McCusker Illustrator Editors Published by Highway Planning Division COVER; The man depicted in rock in the photo on the cover is Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday was observed this month. The man who took the picture and authored the poem thereon, "Memorial To Abraham Lincoln," is Alfred G. Simmer, our Department Photographer who recently retired. We have selected this one from his vast collection, which perhaps you may not already have seen, to emplify his ability and artistic talent. (We hope the poem reproduces.) For a tribute to this man who took so many photos for the Department see the interest ing biographical sketch on page 3. Duvall, Washington December 25, 1952 Dear Editors: How about a "Mr. Dumbjohn" column in which the engineers could give us "Dumbjohns" a little of their hard earned knowledge? I'm sure almost every maintenance man has some technical question he would like answered. For instance: 1. What is the coefficient of expansion of concrete? Or more to the point, how much longer would a block of pavement 30 feet long be at 80 degrees than at 30 degrees Farenheit? 2. Is the asphalt base the same for MC2, RC4, asphalt cement of 60 penetration, e- mulsified asphalt, and crack pouring compound? 3. What is the reflectorizing agent in the new type signs? 4. Why do blondes always induce a long low whistle that sounds like "w-h-e-e-u-", while brunettes get a snappy one that sounds like "tweet-tweee"? 5. Why do they always pick such queer characters for Sectionmen? Sincerely, LEE MINSHULL Sectionman, Seattle Maintenance Division Reader Minshull: Answers to your technical questions: 1. The linear coefficient of expansion of concrete for the average in the range of all mixes (it varies with the mix) is 0.00000604. Thus, a 30 ft. block of concrete pavement will be 0.009 ft. longer at 80°F. than 30®F. (Total increase in length of a solid when heated is equal to its length times the change in temperature times its coefficient of linear expansion.) 2. All are madQ of steam refined asphalt but are of different consistencies. Does that answer it? 3. "Scotchlite." 4. You have the "Dumbjohn" engineers stumped on this. 5. The only answer we could obtain is "so they can ask questions like this one." Ed. Dear Editors: Thought your readers might enjoy this old- timer photo from my scrap-book of Ed Nettle- ton, taken in 1928 or '29 around Pomeroy. I read each issue of the NEWS avidly. Bod Ryker .Asphalt Institute Eds. Note) Hod is a former employee of the Department and v>as on Ed's crev at the time the pho to was taken. L d, by the way, r e c ently traded jobs with Y/. B. (Bad) Manson and is now serving as District 4 Office Engineer. Bud is now in the position of State Aid Engineer. "Which way for the train to Boston?" inquired an old lady, "Walk straight ahead," said the gateman, "turn to the left and you*ll be right." "Young man, don't he facetious with me." "All right, madam, turn to the right and you'll be left!" On the average, motorists in New South Wales, Australia, run their cars for about 10 years. Sometimes "distance lends enchantment," but not when you're out of gas. HIGHWAYS OF HAPPINESS SIMMIE By Bill Miller It happened 3/4 of a century ago, over in Danzig, Germany. A tiny mite of a baby boy came bounding into the world, one who was destined to carve out a life which has followed long and devious trails. Fortunate indeed are those of us who have been privileged to cross that trail and sip from the cup of friendship of our old "buddy." Alfred G. Simmer (Simmie to his friends) was born in 1875 and received his early education in Budapest until he came to San Francisco the age of 15. Making his home with an aunt and uncle, he con- tinned his studies showing an insatiable desire to ever broaden his knowledge. With Simmie every job was a means to an end, and the end was further education in some line of endeavor always related to the job at hand. He wanted to master the language of his newly adopted coun try and 1894 found him teaching school in Port Angeles. But the kilowatt "bug" bit him early in life and he found a lot of satisfaction in the pursuit of the electrical field, specializing on telephone switchboard operation. Meanwhile, while others slept, he was taking a course in civil engineering r and drafting. In the latter he devel oped unusual ability in decorative let tering, which later produced a little side income when badly needed. Then architecture had its appeal. But noth ing could stifle the hidden apprecia tion for the beauty he never failed to "SOURDOUGH" ALFRED G. SIMMER. see all around him. taken in his younger days in Alaska He was married to Mary Louise Setril (whose birthplace was Vienna, Austria) in Seattle in -October 1903, and soon after left with his bride for Nome, Alaska. There in the rugged frozen north these two with their own hands built their home and quickly adapted themselves to the primitive conditions around them. His work was at that time with the telephone company, and our Simmie had the "know how" to install the first switchboard ever operated in that country. His nights were spent in special lettering and development work for a photographer, and he perfected himself in this line of work, later to become his life work. It was at this time that his first child was born - a son, who was to become Dr. Edwin G. Simmer of Rio Vista, California, where he now resides with his wife and three children. Simmie returned to Seattle in 1910 and built a couple of houses. As a captain in the Signal Corps of the National Guard he did a great deal of photographic work while on maneuvers with that body at American Lake. He had such a fund of technical information that his services were sought out by construction firms, architects and, particularly, the Washington State Highway Department. If Simmie wanted a picture, he got it - whether it meant climbing amountain, hanging frc ledge, crossing a swamp or fording a river. His famous "Apple Blossom" picture graces the lobby of one of Wenatchee's finest hotels. A rugged individual he is - yet always tender, considerate, polite and never failing to observe the chivalry of his early training as an• artist (he is an advanced student of the piano and French horn). He conducted a photographic studio in Wenatchee for 17 years before joining the Highway De partment in 1939. He began employment with the Department in the Bridge Division, later serving in Planning Division and doing special photography. In 1946 his wife passed away and with the same resolute dependence on "The Man Upstairs" (his touching reference to Deity) he faced life alone. Having retired from active duty with the Highway Department, he gave up his home in Olympia last fall and went to California to divide his time with his son in Rio Vista and his daugh ter, Dorothy (Mrs. Ed H. Littooy), in San Francisco. His kindly, sparkling smile, his quick youthful step, his effervescent good humor and his ability to observe the little problems of the other fellow and to ease his burden as much as he could have notched a pathway deep into the memory of many who recognize in our Simmie the fighting heart of a great man. May the golden days ahead for him bring peace and the rich blessings he so rightly deserves. DISTRICT NO. I Kay Conger DIARY OF A DISTRICT REPORTER December 26 - Christmas over and everyone at the office Exhausted. Very quiet here - prac tically all offices around town closed....Must get started on District 1 NEWS; Ho Hum, too tired. December 29 - Received "Letter to the Editor" from Lee Minshull for publication in February issue. Also, nice letter from Lee saying Chet Bluher is taking over the "District 1 Flivver" this month. Wish more people took the interest in the NEWS Lee does....Just discovered Eddie Furbush (retired) has moved to his new home on Vashon Island, where his mailing address is Route 2, Vashon, Washington....Hear Mrs.