West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-07-27

| ~ ANA ~ AhtAtASs ~ the DAS-
sage OF the federal aid bill which be-
came law on July IL. 1916. or this
sum S75.000000 is TO be expended for
the construction OF rural post roads
under cooperative arrangements with
the highway departments of the var
ious states. and $lO,O0O.O 900 is TO be
expended for roads and trails within
or partly within the national forests
The act limits the federal govern
ments share In road work i'm cooper
alton with the states TO 80 per cent of
the estimated cost OF construction.
Federal aid may be extended to the
construction OF any rural post road.
excluding all streets or roads i'm towns
having q population of $500 or more.
! except the portions OF such streets or
/ roads on which tho houses are. on an
average. more than 200 feet apart.
| Five million dollars is made avail.
able for expenditure during the fiscal
year ending June 80. 1917. and there
after the appropriation is increased at
the rate of Eve millions year until
| 1921, when the s1m provided is twenty
five million. making a total OF seventy
five millions. In addition. an appro-
priation of $l.O0O,OOO year for 10
years "A total of $4,000. .OOO lis made
available for the development of roads
and trohs wholly or partly within The
national forests.
The class OF roads To be built and
The method of construction are to be
mutually agreed upon by the Sccrc-
iary Of Agriculture and the state
highway departments.
The act provides that after making
necessary deductions for administer
ing It's provisions not to exceed 3 per
cent of the appropriation for any one
fiscal year-the Secretary of Agricul-
ture shall apportion the remainder of
each years appropriation in the fol
lowing manner:
One-third in the ratio which the
area of each state bears to the total
area of all the states
One-thlrd i'm the ratio which the non
udation of each state bears TO the
total population of all the states.
one third in the ratio which the
mileage of rural delivery routes and
star routes in each state bears TO the
total mileage of rural delivery routes
and star routes in all the states.
Project statements setting forth the
proposed construction of any rural
post road or roads in a state are TO be
submitted by the state highway de-
Dartment to the Secretary of Agricul-
ture and upon approval by the Secre-
'ary all necessary surveys. plans,
specifications and estimates must be
furnished. The roads projected must
be or a substantial character. and
items covering engineering. inspection
and unforeseen contingencies are not
to exceed 10 per cent OF the total esti-
mated cost OF the work.
Upon completion OF the work as an
proved by the Secretary. the amount
set aside for the project is to be paid
to the proper state official The Sec
retary of Agriculture is given author
ity, in his discretion, to make partial
payments as the work progresses. but
not in excess of the federal govern
ments pro rata share Of the labor
and material which have been actual
ly put into construction work nor i'm
excess of $4,000 per mile. exclusive
OF the cost OF bridges of more than 20
feet clear span All construction
work is subject to the inspection and
approval of the Secretary Of Agricul-
ture.
The various states securing aid nm.
der the provisions OF the act are to
be charged with making of needed re.
pairs and the preservation of rea.
sonably smooth surface. considering
the type Of road. but are not obligated
TO make tra-ordinary repairs or un-
dertake reconstruction. II. after due
notice, state fails TO maintain fed
orally aided road properly. the secre-
tary is required TO refuse further aid
until the road has been properly re-
paired at the states expense.
The share Of the SIS. 600. 900 appro-
pration of Congress for highways
made law. applicable to West Vir-
ginia. is S825,75O. TO be distributed
over a five year period. and expended
fft g..