The Johnson City comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1916-1917, 1916-08-31

at the earliest moment possible such
an amendment to the present high
way department law as will fully Ell
fectuata the purposes desired. From
my recollection of what the automo-
bile tax is l should say that after the
| first year the entire tax will not be
sufficient to produce the States one
half, even if allowed to be spent in
this way SO that it will be neces-
sary to raise that half, or portion
of it at least, by other methods of
taxation AS to what particular meth
cd should be adopted this lisa matter
entirely for the State legislature; but
want to urge that some method be
adopted Immediately upon the assem-
blying of the neyt legislature. 1t must
be done promptly, as the tax must
be levied and collected before juno
30, 1917, if the State is to receive the
benefits of this years Federal appro-
priation.
There is another plan by which tha
State can raise money!. e., it can
require tn ecounties through which
these roads are to be built TO contrib
ute pro rata to the cost thereof As
l recall, however, counties have NJ
authority to appropriate money I'M
less authorized by law, and therefore
the legislature would have to confer
this authority upon the counties. All
this, however, is simply suggestion.
| want to impress Upon the people Of
Tennessee, however, the importance
of having the legislature take steps
as soon as it is organized next winter
to raise the money necessary to Sc
cure the benefits of this Federal leg
islation.
What Tennesse Roads VIII
Receive
If Tennessee raises her half, as
am sure she will, there will be ex-
pended within the next five years in
Tennessee the sum of $3,'24,602 40 on
permanent highways in the state. The
Federal act requires that the money
Shall only be spent upon such pro-
Jects as may be substantial in char
actar Tboco funds oo,, A. e..,,o,, / I
upon any rural road and other roads
in the State receiving the APPROVAL OF
the highway department and the Sec
rotary of Agriculture.
State Highway Commission 4
1t VIII thusf be seen that the State
highway commission will at once be-
come a commission of large influence
and power. These roads will be OF
the greatest benefit to the counies
through which they pass and to the
cities and towns into which they run.
The State highway commission fixes
and locates the roads to be thus i'm
pAo'Cu HoSe COuuIleS ana SHctlOQS
which desire to get the benefits of
the act will have to first obtain tn
approval of the State highway com
mission. Without this they can not
get any consideration. | am sure
this new department of our State, Just
authorized and established last year.
will go to the utmost lengths in being
fair and just toward all the sections
of the State and divide the benefits
to the best advantage to the greatest
number of people.
| am very proud of the part | have
taken in securing this much-needed
piece of national legislation. | tbs
one of the many great pieces of legis-
lation eracted by the Democratic ad-
ministration. 1t will accomplish great
things for Tennessee, and it will give
an impetus to- road building in our
State that it has never had before,
The various counties are already do
ing much in that line, bu with the
example of the State and National
Governments before them they will
accomplish greater and larger things.
This is my firm belief.