The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-10-08
Full Value for Every Dollar
Spent is the Aim of Gov
eminent Agents.

WASHINGTON. Oct. Elaborate
plans TO prevent the diversion info
improper channels OF any part Of the
100000 which the federal govern
ment is TO spend in cooperation with
states on good roads within tho next
five years have been made by Logan
I Waller Page. director OF the Office OF
public roads and rural engineering
which will supervise the work.
The government is determined, of
hcials say, that there shall be no
repetition Of the lax methods and
waste which have characterized the
building OF roads in many sections
and that q dollars worth OF road bed
shall be constructed for every dollar
spent. Further, the public roads Of
flee is preparing to see to it that the
roads for which the government mon
ey is spent are places where the traf-
tic demand is the heaviest and not
where politicians or others desire
them.
Detailed Information.
The plans designed to prevent
abuses are covered largely in rules
and regulations promulgated by Sec
rotary Houston, OF the department OF
agriculture, under authority conferred
by the federal aid road act. The rules,
which outline the methods by which
the federal government shall aid the
states in the construction of high
ways provide that detailed informa-
ton in reference to the proposed con-
struction and maintenance shall be
furnished 10 the secretary of agricul-
ture before any agreements are made.
When the plans OF a state for road
building, accompanied by q request
/ for federal aid are received, they VIII
be fully investigated BY government
agents, and II acceptable the state
will receive from the government its
apportionmenJ of the appropriation
made for the purpose. Under the
| terms of the act the federal govern
ment pays the bill for one-half the
cost and the state pays the other half
! More than a score OF states already
/ have indicated their intention TO ask
\ for federal aid and two. California
\ and Connecticut. have filed formal ap.
plications.
Project statements made TO the de-
partment. according 10 the rules aud
/ regulations. are required TO contain
"all information necessary 10 enable
the secretary to ascertain (a) whether
/ the project conforms 10 tine require
ments OF the act; tb) whether ade-
quate funds, or their equivalent, arc
or will be available by or on behalf
OF the state for construction: (c) what
/ purpose the project will serve and
4 how IL correlaies with other highway
/ work OF the state: (dl the admins
1 trative control OF. and responsibility
/ for, the project; te) the practicable
ity and economy Of the project from
an engineering and construction
standpoint; ~ the adequacy Of the
I plans and provisions for proper main
/ tenancc Of roads; and, tg) the approx
innate amount Of federal aid desired"
Sketch Map Necessary,
With each statement there must be
submitted for the approval Of the
secretary copies OF the forms Of CON
tract; together with all documents
referred - therein, and the contrac-
tors bond.
Each project statement also must
be accompanied by n sketch map
showing the location OF the pronosed
4 project and the main contiguous
transportation features, and suitable
samples OF material must be submitted
whenever requested. Where any part
OF the cost OF project is TO be fur
rished BY subdivisions Of state, GER
titled copies OF resolutions or orders
respecting the funds must DO sub
mitted.
Rights of way and damages to ad-
joining property have to be paid for
by the states, and the federal govern