The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-27
B. |. HIGHWAYS.
What Other States Are Doing-From
Highway Committees Report.

The subject OF better roads and better
methods OF obtaining them Is receiving
attention in mary of the states.
The New Jersey Legislature has passed
bin with reference to road construction,
empowering the "chossn free holders or
county commissioners to lay out ana
build state highways and the state ap-
propriates s75, 900 per year out OF which 10
nav one third of the cost OF any sueh
state highway which may be laid out ana
built.
The New York State Legislature has
passed a law which embodies 10 a large
extent the recommendations concerning
highway improvements made by former
Governor. Under this bill majority OF
.he supervisors in any county may select
mum Der OF highways under their luris-
diction to serve as county roads. These
highways must not be within ON incor-
porated village or city and must be re-
corded in the county clerks office by suit
able maps.
Provision Is also made for the appoint
ment OF county engineer to hold Office
for three years.
The expense OF maintaining the county
roads is to be county charge to be met
by an annual appropriation by the super
visors.
The board may designate the roads
which are to be repaired and maintained
by the appropriation, but requires the ex-
pcnditurc to be made under the supervis-
ion of the county engineer.
The money is TO be eapportioned as near
ly as possible in proportion to the equal
ized valuation OF the property OF the
place.
To provide the necessary funds for this
work the supervisors are authorized 10
issue bonds, bearing not more than per
cent. interest, running not more than 70
years and sold for not less than their par
value.
All roads constructed or maintained by
such means are to be under the exclusive
jurisdiction OF the board OF supervisors
and engineer of the county and exempt
from the jurisdiction Of the highway
officers of the towns through which they
pass.
-
county roads Is adopted, the remaining
highways must be kept in good condition
by money appropriations and not by the
system of working OUT the road tax.
In Massachusetts O highway act has
been passed appointing a state highway
commission and defining its duties and
providing for the construction Of State
4 ~ inO ont
taxes has also been abolished in that
State.
This act provides that whenever town
or city desires that the State shall take
charge Of a new or existing highway, II
shall petition the Masssc chusetth highway
ommission, which shall consider such
petition and determine what the public
necessity and convenience require, and Il
they deem tha. a highway should
be taken charge OF by the COM
monwealth, they, after filing proper
plans, ETC., OF the work, shall proceed to
construct the road at the expense OF the
commonwealth, and after this the road Is
maintained by the commonwealth, under
the supervision OF said commission.
One fourth of the cost of these high
ways is charged to the county in which
the road Ia built.
A great deal of work has been done
during the past year by the Massachusetts,
commission, and q large amount is pro-
jected for the coming season. The law
seems 10 be a popular one in the State.
A number of other states have adopted
laws providing for State or county aid in
the construction of roads.