The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
A[MON SUBMITS NEW
HIGHWAY MEASURE
Creates State Commission and
Outlines Duties
NAMED BY GOVERNOR
Do Not Draw Salary But Are Allowed
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Money
From the Revenue of
Conyicts
NAMED BY GOVERNOR

Montgomery, February l. (SpeciaD.
The bill introduced by Speaker Almen
today providing for the creation of a
an appropriation for the maintenance of
the public roads of the state contains
the following preamble:
Whereas, the people of Alabama in an
election held in August. 1907, did amend
the constitution of the state authorizing
end empowering the legislature to appro-
pirate part or the whole of the net rev.
enue derived from the convict fund for
the Improvement of the public highways
of the state, and whereas said constitu-
ton is not self-enacting and affirmative
action on the part of the Legislature is
necessary to put into effect the will of
the people as expressed at the polls."f
The bill provides for the creation OF a
state highway commission consisting of
three commissioners, appointed by the
governor within thirty days after the ap
prevail of the act, who shall serve for a
term of four years, unless removed by
the governor, and the state geologist and
professor of civil engineering of the Ala
bama Polytechnic institute, who shall by
virtue of their respective offices, serve
as members of said highway commission.
Tie members of the commission do not
draw a salary, only actual expenses.
The highway commission elects a COM
petent civil engineer experienced in road
building, to be known as state high
way engineer and such assistant civil
engineers as may be needed. The COM
mission is to be provided with suitable
offices at the capitol and ho,d regular
meetings not less than once in every two
months 1t makes 1t a duty of the state
highway engineer and his assistants to
give such advice and supervision in re-
gard to roads, bridges and culverts con-
structed throughout the state as time and
conditions will permit The salary of the
chief road engineer is to be $1,000 per an
mum.
The commission shall investigate and
determine the location of road materials
in the state, ascertain the most approved
laws and relations to roads, and hold
public meetings throughout the state
when deemed advisable and to make re-
ports to the governor. To study road
material the commission shall have the
cooperation of the state geologist and
professor of civil engineering of the Ala
bama Polytechnic institute.
Twenty thousand dollars of the net
proceeds of the convict department of
the state is appropriated annually to
cover the expenses of the highway
commission, including the salary of
the officers and employees of the state
highway commission and the travel
ing expenses of the members of the
commission. One hundred and thirty
the convict department of the state is
appropriated annually for the main
tenance of the public roads of the state,
to be divided equally between the 81
counties of the state, being $4,000 for
each county.
The bill further provides that after
January 1, 1912, all special funds for
the Improvement of the public roads
of the state which may accrue from
any other source and be in the state
treasury shall be in lieu of the convict
fund provided for in said bill to the
extent of said special fund, thereby
relieving said convict fund to that ex-
tent.
It provides that the respective coun-
ties must put UP an equal amount for
road construction before the state ap-
preparation Is available.
It further provides that no member
of the highway commission shall be in
terested In any contract for construct
ing or improving any roads or in the
sale of any machinery, materials or
anything entering into the construc-
ton, maintenance or repairs of the
roads, bridges and culverts.
1t provides that the state highway
engineer shall make necessary surveys.
establish grades, prepare plans and
specifications for all bridges and cul-
verts in each county for which state aid
shall be required and shall furnish a
competent engineer during the progress
- 1n CT -
same. -
1t Is said that the net profits Of the
convict department of the state for last
year was about $4,000 This bill pro-
vides for an appropriation of only
S154,000, being less than one-f1fth of
that amount.
If bill is passed by this legisla-
ture placing a license on automobiles
and applying it to the use of the pub
lie roads of the state 1t would prob
ably raise enough revenue after this
year to pay one-half that amount.