New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-24
Highway Construction a
Serious Problem for
City Taxpayers.
RURAL DISTRICTS
SHED THE BURDEN
Senator Argetsinger Tells How
Towns and Counties Have
Escaped the Costs.
Prom si,- co-re.ponaen, O, m. r,i-ur. J

From stsr CORES pendent o. The Tnrun.l
Albany, April 23.-Mllions Of dol
lars have been wasted By the State Of
New York in the construction Of worth
less roads in the last ten years. and
the state will not have a real highway
system in 1920, after spending ap-
proNimately Sl25,OOO,0OO, according 20
Senator George F. Argetsinger. of
Rochester, chairman of the Cities Com
mittee
ne construction and maintenance
or ITS highways is one of the most. IL
not the most, serious financial ques-
uons that this state is now facing
senator Argetsinger said to-day. "and
unless the problem is quickly taken up
ana efforts are made to solve it in an
intelligent manner the situation with
IN the next three or four years will
become appalling.
Inc people Of New York do not
realize how serious the highway prob
lem has become. Not only is the or
binary maintenance OF the highways a
serious proposition, but our construc-
ton IDEAS are practically so unsys-
tematzed that we haven't vet learned
to build what can be safely termed
permanent highways. The conditions
Of our climate, our laws and our idea.
are TO blame for this condition. be-
cause they have combined 70 produce
roads that have not sufficient perma-
nency in quality, with the result that
what ought 10 be permanent construc-
tion turns out TO be only temporary.
Because OF these conditions. more and
more miles OF highways have 20 be en-
tirely reconstructed and resurfsced
each year"
Total Cost OF system.
BY 1920 there will have been ex-
pended between sl2O,000,O0O and s125.-
100000 on the construction of $500
miles OF state highways, with a sum
equal 20 about 80 per cent of that
seriousness Of the situation j. one o.
large Importance 10 the taxpayers OF
the state. especially those Of New Nors
City. which contributes about % per
cent Of the bill.
The winter just gone. Senator Ar
getsinger says. has furnished an ex-
ceileLt example Of the difficulties in
the construction Of permanent roads
under the present system. During Jan
uary one frost followed another. the
result Of which has been the appear
ance Of what are known as frost bis
ters' in untold numbers on roads IN
every part Of the state. This difficulty
was unlocked for. Senator Argetsinger
said. and il is only another reason for
the giving Of serious consideration 20
the road problem
Maintenance of highways under the
present law is also serious PROPOSE
ton, Senator Argetsinger says, and one
that will have 70 be taken up quickly
by the Legislature. The minimum
cost of maintenance by 1920 viii be
Ss.000.000 n year, the Senator says.
sum that will amount 20 more than
sl00.000,000 every thirteen years. which
will practically mean he reconstruc-
ton of the entire system.
When the highway system vas start
cd in 1905. IL was with the understand
ing that the municipality getting new
roads would contribute an amount
equal 20 that given by the state. As
result OF much legislation by the rural
members however. this share has been
gradually shaved down, so that in 1920,
when the system is expected 20 be com
pleted. the state will have contributed
500 100000 and the municipalities ap-
S23000.000 and New York
City pays IS per cent Of the cost.
Loaded On 10 the State.
The first bond issue OF s50.000,000
for road purposes was authorized IN
1905. with the distinct understanding
that the munic palities benefited would
contribute an equal sum So per cent
10 he paid by the county and Is per
cent BY the towns. In 1907 the rural
politicians got busy. with the result
that the share paid by The counties was
so changed that a large number o.
counties. like Sullivan. contribute only
< per cent. Other counties paid little
more. but the states share IN the cost
Jumped from 80 per cent TO so per cent.
Even this did not prove satisfactory
20 the rural politicians. and in 1909
they passed a law that allowed use OF
highway funds for elimination OF grade
crossings In 1912 there was another
$50 900 900 bond issue. and the upstate
members again got busy. this time pass
ing an act that exempted towns from
the payment Of their share OF - per
cent and placed this charge on the
state.
Now. with tho system nearing com
pletion. the state ~ paying between 80 |
and 90 per cent OF the total cost and I
the municipalities the res That IL
not ALL however in 1907 the rural
legislators passed an act allowing
70 borrow" from the state ,
bond issue funds for the construction 4
OF roads. About 100000 went TO the .
upstate communities from this source.
not a cent Of which has been paid back. .
ON top % this the state has paid for
tho maintenance Of roads built with /
this money. a bill by Senator Brown .
was passed by the Legislature just (
ended. however, which will put an end 4
10 this kind Of work. although II docs /
no, takc effect until October 81.
Under this condition II probably viii I
he a long while before New York City +.
will vote for another bond issue Tor
state roads.
BIG BROTHER RALLY SUNDAY .