The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-22
BY A. G. BATCHELDER.

When the congress of the United
States, in 1906, passed an act which
met the approval of President Thomas
jefferson and provided for the laying
out and construction of a road from
Cumberland, Nd, to Ohio, the COM
missioners entrusted with the work
were given 81 day in full compensa-
ton for their services and expenses.
They were authorized to employ one
surveyor. two chainmen, and one
marker, the chainmen receiving - and
the marker 81 per day The first
stage coach bearing United States mail
from Cumberland to Wheeling trav-
eled over this road August 1, 1918;
and it continued as a federal artery of
communications until between 1881
and 1874, when it's parts were taken
over by the states through which it
passed.
July IL. 1916, President Wilson, in
the presence of a contingent of good
roads enthusiasts thus spoke:
II take a great deal of pleasure in
signing this bill and having a part in
the good work that has been done.
particularly. because it tends to
thread the various parts Of the coun-
try together and assists the farmer
in his intercourse with others
Tho d-Shackleford good
roads bill, after moro than three
fourths of a century of passive policy,
accumulated the return of the federal
government to the policy of aiding the
states in the construction of public
highways.
States Must Garry Half Burden.
From the federal treasury in the
period of five years. $75,0o0,090 is to
be distributed among the several
states, on the condition that they
contribute a like amount and the
| joint money is spent upon
| Ii
way departments and the secretary
of agriculture mutually agree upon.
In addition the measure carried $10,-
900, 900 for the construction of roads
in and adjacent to national forest re-
serves.
1t should be noted that this federal
cooperation with the several states
safeguards the expenditure of the
money in a manner totally different
from that contained in any other ap-
preparation from the federal treas
ury. While the duly constituted state
authority suggests the roads which
are to be improved and the manner
of the improvement, the federal au-
thority exercises a supervising power
over the whole proceeding. Further
more, If the state does not properly
maintain the road that has been con-
structed with national and state funds,
its apportionment for the succeeding
year is withheld until the first built
highway receives the needed repair to
| bring it up to the standard estab-
lished.
In order to qualify for any of the
federal money, a state must equip it,
self with a highway department; thus
1t is that Indiana, South Carolina,
Georgia and Texas must provide this
machinery within a four-year period
or forfeit its allotment; the money in
the meantime remaining in the fed
eral treasury.
National Road System Coming.
Since highways improvement start
ed with a cooperation between state
and its counties and resulted in first
attention to the most used roads, and
finally in the taking over by the state
of the trunk lines. it is not unreason-
able to assume that a similar develop
ment will take place in reference to
the most important roads of the sew
| eral states. First there will como a
| joint partnership and ultimately the