The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-04-19
STATE HELPS BUILD ROADS
Great Progress Made Under the
Slate Aid Plan.

Great Progress Made Under the
Slate Aid Plan.
In the Northeastern States, from
Maine to Pennsylvania, more pro
gress has recently been made in build
ing good roads than in any other sec
tion OF the United States. This is
due mainly to the adoption of the
State aid plan.
New Jersey was the first State to
adopt this plan. The law enacted
here in 1891 provided that the State
pay one third of the cost of improving
the roads, and the counties two-thirds,
part of which may be charged up to
the towns in which the roads are
built. The farmers were at first Oh
posed to this law, but now they are
enthusiastic in it's support. More
than million and a half dollars has
been appropriated by the State under
this law. Nearly 1000 miles of road
have been macadamized. The State
aided roads must conform to the plans
laid down by the State commissioner
of highways.
In Massachusetts the State pays the
entire cost of building the roads. but
requires the counties to pay back one
fourth OF the cost. Nearly half a mil
lion is ap. ropriated annually for this
purpose. Nearly five million dollars
have already been invested in roads by
the State. AS a result Massachusetts,
has hundreds of miles of as fine roads as
any in the world.
Connecticut has also operated under
this plan since 1895. The State puts
up two-thirds of the money for road
building. The plan is considered a
great success. More than million
and half has been appropriated and
spent, and about 500 miles of fine
roads have been built.
In New York the State pays one-half
the cost of building the roads, the
counties thirty-tive per cent. and the
townships fifteen percent, and the
plan is working admirably. Last year
$500, 900 was appropriated by the Legis
lature, and over two millions have been
voted since the law was enacted. 1t
is now proposed to raise by an issue of
bonds fifty millions, to be spent during
the next ten years.
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Rhode Island and Delaware all have
State aid laws, which are working
satisfactorily, though expenditures
and operation are on a smaller scale
than in the other States named.
Pennsylvania is the latest convert to
the State aid plan. The last Legisla.
ture enacted law providing that the
State should pay two thirds of the
cost of road improvement, the coun,
ties one-sixth and the townships one,
sixth. The sum of six and one-hall
million dollars was appropriated to be
spent in six years.
The fundamental principle on which
the State aid plan rests is that the
public highways are for the use anC
benefit of the whole people, and that
all should, therefore, share in the cost
of their improvement.
From State aid to national aid il
but single step. 1t is an interesting
fact that the people of these States
are enthusiastically in favor of taking
Uncle Sam into the general scheme
of cooperation. The State highway
commissioners of New Jersey, Connecti
cut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island anC
Vermont are outspoken advocates O
national aid; and the New Yorl
Legislature has memorialized Congress
to enact the Brownlow bill.
Ii national aid would accomplish TO
the whole country what State aid il
doing where adopted, it certainly de
serves serious consideration.
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