American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-12-24
Statement Of Board Of Highway Commissioners.

The board Of highway commissioner OF Highway District No. 1,
rover county, have now been organized about three months.
When the district was established the commissioners found the
county ready to turn we to them $3.50, but with an Indebtedness al
"ork OF aDout Sl!ooo. The highway districts proportion of this was
approximately $4,000 which would leave the district owing about $1,000
when amount Will have to be taken care OF out of the 1914 taxes.
In order to pay for some work which a absolutely necessary to
De done this fall, the highway commissioners have anticipated this
years mxe II issued deficiency warrants TO the extent Of about
$500 which is in addition to the $1,000 deficiency above mentioned.
The estimated amount of taxes for the road and bridge fund in the
county this year Is estimated at about sl725o. OF this amount the
highway district will have as its share 20 per cent o. about $4,000 or
$4,000. ~Deducting the $500 for bills contracted by the county and
work performed this fall by the highway district, there will be ap-
proMmately $500 left to be expended on roads and bridges in the
highway district for the spring and summer Of 1915. Anyone who
knows tn extent OF the highway district can judge what result can be
obtained by the expenditure Of this amount of money scattered oye
the entire district. The highway board feels that value has been e
ceNed for the $500 already spent this fall, although to the public,
probably little improvement can be noticed. One r. two pieces OF work
have been left incomplete owing to frost. One cement cuIyert. and a
new bridge with cement buttresses, have been constructed, and the
wagon bridge across the Snake river has been repanked.
our county, and specially that part of 1t comprised within the
boundaries Of highway district No. 1, is face to face with serious road
problems. We all know that traffic in and out of American Falls, e.
peciaIIy In the wheat moving season, is immense. During the summer
and fall months It Is a serious question how best to bind or dirt
roads In order to sustain the constant carrying of heavy loads. Not
only does this question confront us, but the southern portion OF the dis
uict with It's hills and valleys IL In many parts almost without service
able roads, and the location of new roads where they will erve the
greatest number of inhabitants is demanding the attention Of the
commissioners every day.
with this hurried review OF the road situation, the highway com.
missloners wish to call attention to the fact that a petition signed Inv
some 300 residens of the district has been presented to them asking
for a bond election to consider the advistabilty of bonding the district
Tor $i2hoo" for road and bridge purposes. In view of this demand, the
highway commissioners wish to make the following statements.
firsti The need of better roads In our district Is more and more
evident Crops must be moved more economically and the commission
RS feel that the amount OF money at present raised by taxation for
road and bridge purposes Is entirely inadequate to meet the situation.
are at present.
Seconds Adjoining counties ire spending thousands of dollars or
roads, and Power county has now the unenviabIe reputation OF having
about rs poor roads IS any portion of our state.
Third; II the voters decide that the district should be bonded, the
highway commissioners will certainly feel disposed to follow the
wishes of the people In the distribution OF the money obtained from the
sale OF the bonds, and they herewith present mn estimate of the
amounts needed In the different sections Of the district as In their
, I" s,a "a, appears necessary. The commissioners wish it to be borne
greater o r less extent as further investigation Is made.
Our portion of state road 30OOO0O
Roads Leading south toward Rockiand and NeeIey ...m.m. sOOOOOO
Road leading north to Bingham county line 100000
Roads leading west through Sand acknowledgements 100000
Road to Horse Island 100000
Road up Bannock Creek o5OOOO
Road to Sunbeam Gardens and towards Arbon --~--.-.-.--. 100000
Implements
Cukerts and bridges ..--.~-..- ... .....
The state engineers expect to complete and establish the perm
anent survey for the state road In the spring, and should the district
appropriate It's share. construction of the state road across the county
will be commenced next year. The commissioners do not think the
estimate on the roads leading into the southern part OF the district is
greater than will be required to do the work which seems to he
absolutely necessary to bring these roads ia n reasonable grade W.
greater portion of the road up Bannock creek to Arbcu will be out of
the highway district and under the supervision of the county CON-
mIssioners. Considerable work will have to be done O This road.
however, within the limi, of the highway district. The road to sun
creek and beyond toward Arbon Will require a good deal Of heavy
work, and In some places win have to he changed to make 1t service.
able the year around. An estimate Of the necessary implements and
the culverts and bridges is not carried out as the commissioners are
unable to state just at the present time what will be required for these
A new bridge across Spring Hollow north Of American Falls
to eliminate the present dangerous grade would seer to be necessary,
but this estimate would come under the item Of culverts and bridges.
Fourth; The commissioners feel that the present residents Of
Power county need good roads now as much as they O their success
sos Will fifteen n twenty years from now. and with the favorable
out look for the rapid development of the county and consequently
greatly increased valuation, II VIII not prove a burden to the residents
OF the district to gradually retire the bonds In the years to come.
Fifth; II might not and probably would not he necessary to place
the entire issue % bonds for sls5I0N0. The commissioners feel,
that a large enough amount should be authorized to prevent
the possibility Of another bond Issue to complete work which might
seem absolutely necessary a IS one of our neighbortng counties wa
obliged to DO after its first bond issue. 4
In closing 1t might not he amiss to state that the board Of highway
commissioners Is obliged by law TO serve without salaries. This fact
mentioned to correct an impression which seems to he held by some
that the commissioners draw a salary each month. They expect to be
criticized, hut II Is the intention Of each member to serve the district
the best of his ability whether the amount to he expended Is large
small. and they are always determined to obtain value received
for every dollar spent. The commissioners also wish 1t to be under
that amy suggestions from the voters win be gladly received. and
In fact the board will be glad at any time to discuss these matters with
anyone who may wish TO attend their regular meetings which are held
On the second Monday Of each month.
r. r. GREENWOOD,
Il. Z. EARRING, |
81. PAINE,
Board Of Highway Commissioners.