Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-01-30
HIGHWAY FUND Of
STATE DEPLETED;
WORK IS STOPPED
Report Is Filed With Gov
ernor Alexander by State
Highway Commission -
Prison Labor a Success.

The funds available for state high
way construction work are nearly ex-
hausted and it is necessary to stop
practically all of 1t until more funds
are available. This fact is brought out
in the report of the state highway
commission filed with Governor Alex
ander. On the work that has been
done the state, however has received
100 cents on the dollar. Prison labor
on the highways has been success
and can be used in the future with
even greater success
The commission submitted the fol-
lowing letter with it's report generally
reviewing the formers contents:
ITO His Excellency, NJ Alexander.
Governor of the State of Idaho,
"Boise, Idaho.
Dear Sir: We have the honor to
submit herewith a report of the state
highway commission for the year 1915.
I'm the following report we have
attempted to give comprehensive
outline of the work carried on by this
commission, giving details of construc-
ton costs, expense of commission and
highway engineers office the total
receipts and expenditures since the
formation of this department, and
brief outline of the work to be car
ried on during the year 1916.
Highway construction along perma-
nent lines has been general through
out the state, but due to the inability
of counties to give detailed data on
their work, this report will merely
cover the work carried on under the
direction and supervision of this de-
partment. although it has been the
policy of this department TO assist the
various counties in every way in solv-
Ing their problem.
Low Unit Prices Received.
"The state has been fortunate in
getting extremely low unit prices on
all work, and with but few exceptions
the contractors have endeavored to live
up to the intent of the specifications in
every way. In the case of the few eX-
ceptions mentioned, the department has
taken over the work from the con-
tractor and either completed the work
by force account or re-let it to more
competent contractors.
"A great deal of credit for the sue
cess of the construction work should
be given the resident engineers in the
field, who have in every case been
conscientious in getting the best pos
siblei results for the state.
IAN experiment was made with con-
Wet labor on the North Side grade at
Shoshone falls with satisfactory re-
suits AS this was the first instance
In this state where conVicts were used
on highway work, there We're undoubt-
eddy many mistakes made, but with the
experience gained there is every rea-
son to believe that this method of
working roads can be used with even
greater success in the future.
"As is shown in this report the
funds available for construction work
are nearly exhausted, and it has been
necessary to stop practically all con-
struction work until more funds are
available.
1.-THE proportion of the 1916 motor
vehicle license fees apportioned to the
state, as estimated, is ample TO pay the
expense of maintenance on the roads
constructed, and to take care of the
expense of the commission and the
highway engineers office for 1916.
I'VE believe the accompanying re-
port viii demonstrate that the state
has received 100 per cent efficiency fol
every dollar expended by this depart
ment.
Respectfully submitted.
IDAHO STATE HIGHWAY
COMMISSION.
wv. A. BRODHEAD,
Chairman.
e A. VAN SICKLIN,
"Vice Chairman.
GEORGE r. BARKER,
Secretary"