Weekly journal-miner., 1915-01-27
COBB ASKS TEN CENTS LEVY FOR
 ROAD WORK
WANTS $5,o00 A MONTH TO COVER EXPENSE OF WORKING PRI s DINERS ON HIGHWAYS


 tained by the twenty-five per cent of the annual apportionmcnt of $250,- GOO for expenditures outside of the counties where it was raised. and an annual levy of ten per cent for high way construction and maintenance are the recommendations of State Engineer Lamar Cobb in connection with his estimate of the amount nee essary to carry on the work of the engineering department
 The proposed levy would raise ap- proximately $4O7,OOO as compared with $250,000 received under the pres ent road tax. This amount, would be apportioned among the counties in proportion to their assessed valu- ation with the provision that not less than $15,0O0 be spent in each county annually. Under this appOrtionmcnt Maricopa county would receive $69,- 511 annually for road purposes as compared with $46,S41, the total amount available for road work un- der the existing law Without the $15,O00 minimum provision this coun- ty would receive $75,0OO. The present road levy is six and onc-seventh cents.
 The probability that bill provid ing for federal aid will be passed by congress at its next session is one of the arguments urged by Engineer Cobb for a substantial appropriation at this session of the legislature. Un- der the provisions of the bill now pending a state must contribute a like amount for road work before it can receive any aid from the govern ment. Unless provision is made at this time, he says, Arizona would not be able to secure federal aid before 1917 An appropriation of not more .han $5,000 per month for prison lab or on the state highways is also rec commended.
 In letter to Auditor Callaghan re- garding the matter of appropriations the state engineer says in part:
 "While not unmindful of the desire for curtail1ncnt of expenses compat- ible with economy in all operations Of the government at this time the ap- propriations made by this legislature for the construction of highways will not be collected until December, 1915 and December, 1918, after the present business depression has probably 5ecn succeeded by normal conditions if not by an era of prosperity which has been history in neutral countries turing great conflicts. However, should this condition be not realized IS few doubt it will be, it should be the duty of all governments to fur nish employment during times of business Impressions to the greatest number possible whose labor can be utilized upon necessary and ncedful construction work and not add to the of unemployed by discontinu- ing work in progress thereby aggra- vating bad situation. It is also true that during such periods work can be done cheaper than at any other time for materials cost less and more ef- hcient labor can be secured.
 HThc legislature will not again be in session for two years and fail urc to provide funds for carrying on State road work would result in a delay in construction of between two and three years. Appropriations are not available for at least six months | after the legislature convenes.
 Furthermore. an appropriation by congress for federal aid in the con 5truction of highways will in all prob ability be passed at the next session of congress. This is generally con ;eded even by those who oppose such legislation. An appropriation bill for hat purpose passed the house by a vote of to 1, and is now before the senate in amended form. I am in ormed by members of the postoffice md post roads committee of the sen Itc, administration officials at Wash ngton, and highway officials of other tatcs that an apportionmcnt bill for Inc federal aid to secure the approval ,f congress and the administration must provide that the states contri- ,ute like amount, that construction york be done under joint state and ederal supervision and that before a tate can avail itself of such appro- riation it must have highway de- artmcnt Therefore unless provis- on is made at this time Arizona , would not be able to secure federal ( i'd until 1917.
 Recommendations. IT
 "That the present appropriation of 250,000 with the provision for the ex- t enditure Of $ per cent in the coun- ( es where raised and 25 per cent in . onstituting a general fund be repeal r