Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-01-21
FOR FEDERAL AID
IN ROAD MAKING
Bill of Importance to Entire
Country introduced by
Congressman Smith.

congressman NOulSon L. SlnlIn OF
this state has introduced a measure,
known as house bill No. 264. in the
house of representatives to provide for
federal aid for good roads to permit
the several states to utilize the super
Tor credit of the United States in rails
ing road construction funds, to aid the
states in maintenance OF roads and to
create a national highway commits
sion. The act is OF paramount import
ance to Idaho and other western states
where road construction Is meager and
costly, but Is necessary for proper de-
velopment of the mountainous Sec
lions.
A summary of the proposed law is
as follows:
That in order to establish, construct,
improve or maintain public roads there
is created fund to be known as the
United States highway fund to be
handled by the treasurer Of the United
States on the order of a highway com
mission. To create this fund the sec
rotary Of the treasury is authorized
and directed to issue and sell on and
after July ], 1918. bonds to the amount
of $500, 900, 900, payable in coin so years
from date of issue. These bonds may
be offered at par as a popular loan,
giving opportunity to citizens OF the
United States to participate in 1t.
States Must Have Commissions.
Before any state can take advantage
of the funds raised by the bond issue
it must first have a highway commits
sion. These commissions are required
to make a report to the governor OF
] ba Ct in, ta-bi
crate. showing expenses. expenditures,
revenue, etc, which win be forwarded
by the chief executive to the secretary
of the treasury and United States
highway commission. The United
States highway fund Is to he appor
toned to the various states based on
per cent for each as compiled from
population, assessed valuation, mile
age Of highways and total land area of
the respective states. The state COM
mission may apply for not to exceed 20
per cent each year of its share Of the
fund SO apportioned and secure it by
depositing a bond with the treasurer
covering each amount secured, payable
in so years at per cent. The bond Il
a state will not be accepted il it eX
ceeds 10 per cent of the total amount
j VI dGStSStiblt IlNItl ~ ANY Sldlt ut-
string to do so may deposit 4 per cent
bonds with the treasurer of the United
States maturing in not less than 20
years from date of issue, but on re-
demption the state must pay 2 per cent
per annum on balance due, together
with accrued interest.
How Commission Is Created.
On Feb. I of each year, following
1918 the treasurer Of the United States
shall pay to the respective states from
any funds in the treasury not other
wise appropriated, an amount OF money
equal to one half the amount the state
has expended out of its own funds
during the preceding calendar year,
but in no case to exceed Pa per cent
of the amo Mt Of state bonds deposited
with the United States treasurer by
the respective states. This money Is
for maintenance.
The United States highway commits
sion is to be composed of the chairman
and ranking minority member of the
senate committee on post offices and
post roads, the chairman and the rank e
ing minority member OF the house com
mittee on roads, the director Of the Of
flee of public roads, and A United
states army engineer to be detailed
from time to time by the secretary OF
war. This commission is to have an
advisory voice in the expenditure of the
United States highway fund in the sew
eral states. It's head office must be in
the District of Columbia. but it may
create highway divisions not exceeding
in number one for each state and may
maintain a division office in charge Of
n United States highway engineer in
each division. It is empowered to en-
ploy clerical help. provided for by con-
gressional appropriation. and may re-
quire the assistance and co-opera ton
Of the officers and employees of any de-
partment in its work.
The bill is now in the hands of the
committee on roads.
lnconqruous.