El Nuevo mexicano., 1916-10-26

The Democratic state administration is justly proud Of
the road building record of the last four years. So is every
sincere advocate Of good roads in New Mexico.
With meager funds for the tremendous task Of providing
network Of roads in the fourth largest state Of the Ameri-
can Union, where practically nothing had been accomplished
during many years Of Republican rule, remarkable progress
has been made in the construction Of a comprehensive system
Of permanent state highways. Main routes Of travel, con
Meeting all important centers have been opened, and prac-
tiealy every section Of the state made easily accessible.
From July II, 1912, to July 81, 1916, a total of 1914
1898 Of state money was expended, under expert supervision,
on New Mexico highways and every dollar spent was made
to return a dollars worth of value to the state.
r Some of the finest stretches of road in the United States
have been built in New Mexico, and the states strides in high
way construction have exceeded those Of many Of the older
and far wealthier commonwealth. In the road building cam
paign of the Democratic administration the constant en-.
deavor has been to use the available funds in such a manner
as to provide the greatest good for the greatest number.
The state money has not been scattered here and there on
temporary construction. 1t has been used in accordance with
a systematic plan for permanent highways.
New Mexico, exceeding in size all bnt three Of the 4S
states, calls for a state highway system several thousand miles
in %extenta system that requires several million dollars to
complete.
In addition to the state money spent on state highways,
a total of 1868, 095.85 has been expended in the construction
Of 13 bridges, the plans for which were prepared and APP
proved, and the work supervised by the state engineer. These
1lS bridges include steel, cement and wooden structures.
County road boards have c~o-operated with the state high
way commission in the construction Of state highways, and
have built other roads in their counties. In the last four
years a total of $1,O93,O9S.71 of county funds has been ex-
pended on roads.
Much Of the money spent or state roads during the last year resulted
from the sale Of the 100000 Issue Of state highway b0nds N August
1915.
legislature In 1912. It was nothing less than a deliberate attempt to fool
those camornn for good roads, because It was never intended that the
ted this since ProvisIon against tho sale q the bonds was made 6y spset
flying that while they should draw no more than 4 per cent interest they
should be sold 1t n 10 less than par
"A per cent New Mexico bond at par was a Joke III 5as bond markets
Of the United States. It vas absolutely unsaable. That such . bond
would he unsuitable was known by the Republican bosses ~men the bill was
passed.
The people Of tho state ~ere eager for roads, and approved the bond
issue a. the general election in 1912 They did not then generally realize
the deception that had been practced upon them.
Hehls, but these Of course failed. And it was only aHer bond prices had
advanced by reason Of the general prosperity that the difference between
that the Democratic officials were able to work out a plan for the sale Of
the bonds.
cent of their share Of the bond proceeds and the depostins Of the 7ont
proceeds In banks for stated periods SO that intereet might be earned. this
interest and the county subscriptions to be combined TO make up the d.
ference between the par value and the market value, to the end that the
state should receive the full par value, Of $4,000
Interest payments vert advanced by the banks. and IN August 1919, /
the sale Of the bonds was closed and $4,000 paid into the state treasury
Every detail Of the plan by which the bonds were sold was given wide
publicity by the state press at the tme and the plan was heartily a5pror 3
ed by the people Of New Mexico. 1t va the most popular move ever
made
The Interest paid by the banks went directly to the state, as IT formed
part Of the $4,000 paid into the state treasury BY subscribing 2 per cent
the counties we're enabled to receive so times the amount Of their subserip
ton In additional road money
But before the bond sale was consunanated the Democratic officials
were forced to overcome every Republican obstacle that could be placed in
Republican Opposition per cent subscription. It was hoped
Republicans in the Republican to tie up the subscription Of every
county Of San Miguel brought suit 70 county n he state