The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-01-18
HIGHWAYS OF THE STATE
ANNUAL REPORT or COMMISSION
 ER M4CDONALD.

The Big Demand for Applications fo,
 State Aid-The Gratifying Growth o1
 Sentiment In Favor of Good Roads
 How State Aid Extends to All Roads
 The Trunk Lines, Guide Posts, Etc.-
 The Cost of Poor Roads-The BrIgh,
 Outlook.
 Following is an abstract of the state
 highway commissioners annual report submitted to the governor yesterday
 The day named for the final closing of the applications was as early as it was wise to make it, as it came right in the busy time of the summer work of the towns. The six weeks that elapsed from the sending out of the order to the final day on which applications were to be received for state aid, was profitably used in the inspection of the work that remained unfinished from the two previous req sons, and in attending town meetings to explain the new law.
 It was with good deal of satisfaction that We found that one hundred and fifteen towns had applied for state aid in so short time. Although it was somewhat difficult to satisfy the de- mands of the towns, inasmuch as the maximum amount in any one year was found to be totally inadequate. The total amount of money asked for was $301 ,SS8-very nearly the entire appro- priation for the two years. But the law had very wisely provided for such an emergency, and the full appropriation where 1t did not exceed forty-five hum dyed dollars--was allowed each town according to their vote. This arrange ment of the money met the approval of the towns, and not a single town re- fused state assistance under this plan.
 The three principal reasons leading up to this great demand for state as- sistance was first growth of sentiment during the last four years; second, the very liberal assistance offered by the state, and third, the broad plan in which the money could be used.
 The balance of the money remaining out of the two years appropriation will be thirty-ive thousand nine hum dred and thirty-six (35,936) dollars, which will be used in giving aid to the fifty-three towns that did not apply last year for an appropriation.
 The towns that received an appropri- ation last August will not be allowed to have any part of this money until the other towns refuse to take advantage of this appropriation. After the time ex- pires on which they can apply, then the money will be offered to all towns that have had small appropriation last year so that all may be put on the same footing.
 Of the forty-three roads unfinished at the close of the year, thirty-seven have been completed and accepted and the money paid to the towns. There have been forty-seven contracts awarded this year, twenty-four of the contracts are for macadam and twenty-three for grading and graveling. There are quite number of towns, whose plans and specifications have been approved, and | the contracts will be let in the spring. While quite a number of the roads have been practically finished, the state did | not think it wise to accept these roads, | preferring to test the work this winter dAu udNG lItIll llHlSItu III llc SpIlHS. Sixty-eight contracts are to be awarded 1 in the spring from the August appro- priation. This number will be in- creased after the April appropriation is made from the money that is still avail able from the general appropriation. HOW STATE AID EXTENDS TO ALL
 ROADS.
 I have often been asked the question In town meetings. "How will the people who reside on the side or feeder roads be benefited under this law, as the money is only used on the main high ways?"
 My answer is, that from my knowl- edge and experience in visiting the towns, the amount of money appropria- ted each year by the town is totally in- adequate to properly treat all of the roads as they deserve or require, and that in very many of the towns I find the entire appropriation for the care and maintenance of town roads is used very largely on the main highways and that this has been the practice for many years. The direct results to all ,f the people residing on side or feeder roads from state assistance will be, hat when the main roads have been im- proved with state assistance, very little, except for repairs, will be required on he part of the town on these main highways, and then the appropriation rom the towns for the Improvements of heir highways, instead of being used n the main highways as heretofore, an be used in improving the side or eeder roads, demonstrating clearly hat the influence of state assistance for oad improvement, although used on nain highways, will extend to every oad in the town ultimately.
 TRUNK LINES. Suggestions have been made through ( he year and questions asked relative { 0 the plan or policy of the state lead ng ultimately to trunk lines through he state. The effort of the state has been di- z ected in accordance with the laws un- I CT which We have worked to the im- [ rovement of the present existing high f vays, and 1t will be some time before he present existing highways are t rought into proper condition necessary I , accommodate the travel with conven- r .nce and comfort Indeed, any poli- t y removed from this, with the main s ighways needing attention so much, S