Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1916-07-22


and material which have been actual
~ put into construction work, nor in
excess Of $4,000 per mile, exclusive
of the cost of bridges or more than
20 feet clear span. All construction
work is subject to the inspection and
approval Of the secretary Of agricul-
ture.
Charged With Maintenance.
The various states securing aid un-
der the provisions Of the act are charg-
ed with the making Of needed repairs
ana the preservation Of a reasonably
smooth surface, considering the type
OF the road, but are not obligated to
make extraordinary repairs or under
take reconstruction. If, after due no.
lice, state fails to maintain fed
orally aided road properly, the secrc-
tary is required to refuse further aid
until the road has been properly re-
paired at state expense.
For Roads and Trails.
The sum of $1O,0OO,OOO is made
available in yearly appropriations of
$l,0IO,OOO for the cooperative con
structiOn and maintenance Of roads
and trails within or partly within the
national forests by the United States,
states, territories, or counties in which
the forests lie. Expenditures for this
purpose are not to exceed ten ncr
cent OF the value Of the timber and
forage resources available for income
upon the national forests where the
roads or trails are constructed Be
ginning with the next fiscal year after
an agreement is made between the
secretary Of agriculture and a state,
territory, or county fer the co-opera-
tive construction Of such roads, ten
per cent Of all revenues from such
forest are to be applied toward REIN
bursting the u S. government for funds
expended in road work until the whole
amount advanced shall have been re-
turned.
Purpose of Road Building.
The objects sought through federal
aid to roads in the national forests
are thus explained by the secretary Of
agriculture in his annual report for
1915 in which he recommends such
legislation as well as federal aid to
rural post roads:
"The real agricultural problem
within and near the forests is to make
possible the successful occupancy and
development Of the lands that al
ready have been opened to entry or
actually patented. The mere private
ownership of land does not insure sue
cessful use Of it, In Oregon and
Washington alone there are about g.
100000 acres of logged-off land, much
of 1t agricultural in character, now ly-
ing idle. In this condition specula-
tive holding Of the land for higher
prices plays a large part. Another
cause is the lack Of transportation
facilities. settler may clear land
and raise crops upon It, but he is help
less If he can not market them. There
are great areas of fertile land unused
today on this account. In many Sec
uons near the national forests pio-
neer conditions still exist The popu-
lation is small and the task Of road
building is beyond the means Of the
residents. There is little or no de-
mand for timber and the receipts from
the forests which go to the community
are small. The fact that the public
property is not subject to taxation
makes such communities feel, and
very justly, that the forests are not
contributing enough to local develop
ment.
This situation should be changed.
Assistance should be given in the
building Of roads to bring into produc-
tive use the resources Of such regions.
Therefore the suggestion contained in
the last annual report is repeated.
that upon showing of public neces-
sity appropriations be made for spec
ifc roads and similar improvements,