Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-11

TRENTON, Jan. 11.-Governor Fielder s
.aoond annual message, read to the New
ysrsav legislators today when they met
t. The 10th session, is extremely opti-
mistic
The Governor expresses pleasure be-
cause of the financial condition of the
STATE. He is anxious that the natural
resources be conserved and in this
rssnect urges an investigation with a
view to state ownership of South Jersey
water rights. The message suggests the
nrobability of a slightly higher tax rate
for better roads as n step i'm aid of
national preparedness, asks for consld-
Grafton of demand for a second normal
school. and urges that the Public Utility
Commission be empowered to fix passen-
ger and freight rates for railroads.
The message, in brief. follows:
at gives me considerable satisfaction
< 10 be able to inform you that the finau-
cial condition of the State is better than
for several years. At the opening of the
nrecedinE session of the Legislature a
State tax or n bond issue was thought
Imperative to raise the money required
10 meet the appropriations for State De-
partments and institutions for the fiscal
year November 1, 1914, to October 81, 1915,
but 1t later became apparent that the
direct inheritance tax act of 1914 would
provide the necessary funds,
'The fact is, that while no additional
revenue was provided by the Legislature
OF last year. upward of s2.0OO.O0O were
added to the States income by the act
referred to. The requisition act of 1914
also helped, In that it gave the States
financial officers n proper supervision and
control over all expenditures of money
and provided much-needed check
against the prevalent practice of incur
ring obligations in excess of approprla-
tons.
"The reports which the Comptroller
and Treasurer will present to you show
that at the close of our business year,
October 81. 1915, with every outstanding
obligation provided for and deducted, we
had an actual and not fictitious bal
ance in the Treasury amounting to S3O7,-
0721O
Proper provision for vehicular trans
portation is of vital moment, not only to
our business interests, but the aid the
States should give in preparation for Ma
tional defense. includes a system of high
ways desirable and suitable for military
reasons, The increasing and insistent de-
mand for good roads imposes upon the
Legislature the duty of providing them.
'The Commissioner of Public Roads, I'm
his report for the year recently closed,
estimates that an automobile paying an
annual license fee of $50 and making
600 miles a year damages the road TO the
( extent OF sou OF SoO, Wnlle tne damage
caused by the ordinary two-horse team
and wagon will not cost over S. to re-
place. It is therefore, evident that the
general use of automobiles for pleasure
and business purposes adds tremendously
10 the traffic burdens the roads must bear,
and thus the new and difficult problem Is
presented to us The Commissioner of
Public Roads also estimates the total
mileage of the State, exclusive of streets.
at B,OOO, of which 1850 are still unin.-
proved. and he says II will cost Sd, 300, 900
10 properly improve the whole mileage.
The States share of this expense would
be about 100000.
The annual appropriations heretofore
made have been as liberal as the financial
condition of the State would permit, and
II does not seem possible to materially in
crease them Last year the appropriation
TO the State Road Fund was 100000, in
addition to which there was the convict
abor appropriation and the motor We
hicie fund.- from which sources the State
actually disbursed for road construction
an repair the sum of 1895. 100 %. as fol-
lows;
Construction. Repair.
eon,s,l s.,.e road fund S3Ol, ,s9l5l ......,,
Motor vehicle fund. .''.'.... "'''O'o' s5i.9ig.sS
Totals ........ s3GG. 705 Al ssGs. .3G4. So
All moneys expended for salaries and for
once and clerical expenses.
should the counties be willing to un-
ueFtaAe the Improvement of all their
.oads with State aid, and should the
s.aie be able to appropriate 100000 an
.nuusly' 80 years would elapse before all
W.. .ae roads could be built, and in the mean
sne some or those improved will have
worn out and win require partial II not
"noie' reconstruction. 1t is apparent that
wi polcy OF road maintenance and con-
sNueuon requires readjustment, because
cannot under the plan now pursued
rvpsrY maintain our roads with the
sa saasa uses to which they are put and
essp pace witt the progress the State de-
-shus In building new highways.
HIGHER AUTO TAX SUGGESTED
rerhaps there should be a slight in
slsase In automobile license fees and a
portion OF these fees devoted 10 construc-
hna Mn WORK, but 1t is not just that automo-
hso.,hers owners should bear the whole cost.
az improved roads benefit the own
h,',,. ot other vehicles; they bring more
hs.s 70 the merchants doors; through
vsL,a property owners see increased land
elnsi,s, ana nearly every individual, in
iig nonTOad users, gets the benefit
commercial automobile travel. I'm
eose,' sr and cheaper transportation OF
~ vs'nvuitles. / think, and therefore adj
49,. mat the necessary funds should be
,ess osso by State tax laid specially for
xcr- REPRESENTATION purposes and that the
"a - should be spread over a period OF
nsss IN which event the State would
vsss. si'Vo1OO annually-or over 10
osiss lor which $500 600 would be re-
Tsxsu each year, The State Board of
nortas ana Assessment has recently re-
AM the assessed valuation OF the real
id, psisonal property of the State sub
rajsa :, ioesl taxation as 81. $50. .s55 59S.29 To
fonr- s,vvVV0 State tax OF less than
AMI eaehs % OF ! mill would be necessary,
MN tsA OF less than six-tenths OF a
s,na,'sd Would raise G.5O0.OO0. This small tax.
fooa ny ing TO but 40 or so cents on each
IN ~ assessed valuation, would not be
Il 4 s,'a s believe would be willingly paid.
nae,sale 1sele 70 be the means OF securing a
,1.ffsahneent road system.
hn,,s.e work OF the counties on road
tn,sa-s Is unbusinesslike. IA that It lacks
Esrss. ss' 'illty In policy as 10 the kind OF ma
sbs uaea, the method Of construction
ee,s.s.- sa'lofe IN cooperation between
s.'-e sTse n connecting up highways.
shIes fennsylYania Railroad, against
s|s,~ .ns south Jersey commuters COM
'zzaea special forms q tickets. Il