The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-16
FEDERAL ROAD AID IS
SS5,OOO,0OO THIS YEAR
OF This sum $4,000, 900 Will Be Ex-
pended on Rural Post
Roads
Ten Million To Be Expended On Trails
Through National Forests-How
Fund Is Apportioned Among tho
States.

Washington, D. c.. July 15.-The
sum Of sS5, 100000 of Federal funds
is available for the construction Of
rural roads, by the passage of the
Federal Aid Road bill, which became
a law on July IL. 1915. OF this sum-
SIS 900, 900 is to be expended for the
construction of rural post roads under
cooperative arrangements with the
highway departments of the various
States, and 100000 900 is to be ex-
pended for roads and trails within or
partly within the national forests.
The act limits the Federal govern
ments share in road work in coop
Grafton with the States TO SO 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 in towns
having a population OF 2.500 or more,
except the portions of such streets or
roads on which the houses are, on
an average. more than zoo feet apart.
Five million dollars is made avail
able for expenditure during the Nscal
year ending June 30 1917. and there
after the appropriation Is increased
at the rate OF FIVE millions year
until 1921 when the sum provided
is twenty-five millions. making a total
OIL stNEnlN~liNt IlilltOilS. Al ahuitiS'A'
an appropriation OF one million dol
lars a year for ten years, total OF
ten million dollars, is made available
for the development of roads and
trails 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 Score
tary Of Agriculture and the State high
way departments.
Apportionment of Funds Among
States.
The act provides that after making
necessary deductions for administer
ing its provisions-not to exceed three
per cent of the appropriation. for any
one fiscal year-the Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall apportion the remain
der OF each years appropriation in
the following manner:
One-third in the ratio which the
area OF the State bears to the total
area OF all the States.
One-third in the ratio which the
population OF each State bears to the
total population of all the States.
One-third in tn cratic 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.
Estimates OF Funds Needed for
Projects.
Project statements setting forth the
proposed construction OF any rural
post road or roads In State are TO
be submitted by the State highway
department. TO the Secretary OF Agri-
culture and upon approval by the
secretary all necessary surveys
plans. Specifications and estimates
must be furnished. The roads pro-
jected must be OF a substantial char
acter. and items covering engineering
inspection, and unforeseen contingent
cies are not to exceed ten per cent
OF the total estimated cost of the
work
Upon completion of the work as ap-
proved by the secretary, the amount
set aside for the project is to be paid
TO the proper State official The Sec
rotary 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
ment's pro rata of the labor and ma =
terial which have been actually put
into construction work, nor In excess
Of $40. 600 per mile. exclusive OF the
cost of bridges of more than twenty
feet clear span. All construction work
Is subject to the inspection and ap-
prevail OF the Secretary of Agricul-
turs.
States Charged With Maintenance.
The various States securing aid I'M
der the provisions of the act are
charged with the making OF needed
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