The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-26
AUTO ASSOCIATION
FOR STATE AID
STATEMENT ISSUED IN SUPPORT
OF MONTANA PAYING ITS
SHARE FOR ROAD WORK

~ Htt - az ItiIPt'N titItIIl q
highways does not mean a donation oil
public funds for local purposes, is the
statement issued by the Montana
State Automobile association. It means
that the state pays its share Of the
cost of such Improvement. the amount
of the share being determined by the
legislature in enacting the law, in ac-
cordance with the proportion of bene-
fits derived by the state, as compared
with the benefits to the Immediate
locality.
When New Jersey inaugurated the
state aid system, more than 20 years
ago, the proper division of the ex-
pense of constructing good roads was
considered to be one-third each to
state, county and township. A num-
Der of states have adopted practically
the same idea, While others have held
that a larger share should be paid by
the state. Still others gave arbitrary
bonuses, and others direct appropriate
tions.
But the underlying principle is the
Salty II IL llIt ltdItEdtloi IlIi titt
public highway is a matter of state
concern II hat its Improvement
benefits all the people of the state.
The construction of good roads be-
tween two populous centers enables
the farmers along or tributary to that
road to get their produce to market
easily and cheaply. The farmer re-
ceives a benefit he can see and reckon
in figures, in the increased value Of
his property, in he saving in market
ing, and in crops, in the Increased pro-
duction due to ease in marketing, and
in social advantages which good roads
enhance and bad roads diminish.
Not Confined to Farmers.
If the benefit We're confined to the
farmer there would be no occasion for
state aid. He could be told to build
his own roads and reap his reward.
But marketing crops and hauling home
supplies is but one factor, though
nerhaps it may be called the primary
one. The market town which is the
converging point of improved roads
leading from the country, enjoys the
same proportion of increased valua-
tions. increased business. and there
fore increased profits, as does the
farmer. The railroad or other trans
nortation line receives its profit in
+ha increased business and the regu-
sAGi'. With which Z can no presented
EuF f~mHrSf#rT. E#ttUE fr53' 80 CON
a~s<a.l9n and d"avth which invariably
tied to given periods when the roads
are ~passahle.
In turn. the economic advantage of
good roads extends only TO the people
of the local villages and cities, but to
the greater commercial and industrial
centers as well. All classes of consum-
ers profit by the advantage of better
n more regular markets, and conse-
Quently more stable prices.
The people are the state What
Yer contributes to the welfare and
happiness of the people is a matter
of state concern. The state profits
directly by the creation of additional
taxable valuations, both in country and
city, and by the increased volume of
business which results from the build
ing of roads, thus enhancing the state
revenues from other sources. All
SldSstS VI pttpit pitllt by tHt III
creased purchasing power of producers
on farm and in factory, giving rise to
larger volumes of business and more
general prosperity.
Formerly, when Highway traffic was
confined to horse drawn vehicles, the
range of daily travel rarely exceeded
% or so miles a day. Now, with auto
mobiles and motor trucks, ten times
the distance is not unusual. This
means the bringing Of commercial and
social interests closer together, and the
practical obliteratiOn. so far as road
users are concerned, of local lines Of
demarcatiOn of political divisions, In
other words, the highway is becoming
more and more of interest to a far
wider public than could have been
comprehended a score of years ago.
With the advantages thus accruine to
the state, and TO the people as a
whole, in the same practical ratio as
to the individual in front Of whose
farm it runs; with travel that is state
wide using the roads in constantly in
creasing volume, it must be apparent
hat the people az a whole. that is, the
state, should bear a fair and just pro
portion of the cost.
State aid in road building means
that the dWellers in cities pay their
share toward the cost OF the public
Improvement by which they profit.
The same course of reasoning, car-
ried to its logical conclusion. involves
the consideration of national coopera-
ton in road building. The enhance
ment of wealth and Of producing and
consequent consuming capacity on the
part Of the people constitutes prosper
ity for the nation on accoun Of road
improvement.
In view, therefore, OF these facts,
n the further fact that interstate
travel Is developing with Wonderful
rapidity, federal cooperation in high
way building seems certain to be
a1ODtpd in the near futura