The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-16
Schoch Seeks to Revamp the
Old Hodges Measure.
Permit Kansas to Get Part of
the Federal Appropriation.
COUNTY MAY ASSUME COSTS
A Sliding Scale Provided to
Cover Extra Heavy Costs.
Barr Wants to Create q State
Highway Commission.

Two good roads bills were intro
duced in the senate today. one by
Senator Schoch of Shawnee, and the
other by Senator Barr of Bourbon.
The Schoch bill makes the amend
ments suggested by different good
roads students to the Hodges road
law. The Barr bill is a brand new
structure growing out of suggestions
coming from various good roads con-
ventions.
The first amendment in the Schoch
Dill fixes the qualifications of petit
TONERS Like the original law it pro-
vldes that the petition must be signed
by 81 per cent of the land owners
along the proposed Improvement, but
1t also provides that they shall be
resident land owner. A resident may
i've anywhere in the county where the
road is to be constructed
Like the present law it provides
that 25 per cent of the cost shall be
borne by the township or townships
IN which the improvements are made.
But it provides that the taxes to cover
the coast to the townships shall be
extended over period of five years
or less, or if the township NAV so elect
bonds may be issued PAYABLE in not
less nor over twenty years and bearing
a rate of interest not exceeding per
cent.
Fifty-five per cent of the costs shall
be charged to the county and special
Improvement bonds may be issued by
order of the county commissioners.
bonds to run from ten to twenty years
and bear per cent interest. How
ever, if the county commissioners de-
termine that the road is to be of gem
1 eral Importance to the county and the
cost of improvement is unusually
heavy because of grades, creeks and
other causes, they may bind the coun-
ty to pay SIS per cent of the cost. de-
creasing the shares of the townships
and landowners in proportion.
Under the Schoch bill. any aid en-
tended by the federal government Is
TO be divided-20 per cent to the
townships and 55 per cent to the
county.
The provisions of the Schoch bill
do not apply to the construction or
improvement of roads costing less
| than 81 900 per mile. In the main ii is
the Hodges road law but in the opin-
ion of Senator Schoch it contains all
the amendments necessary to make
| the old law satisfactory vehicle for
the building of good roads in Kansas.
The bill introduced by Senator Barr
is the same bill introduced in the
! house by Representative Mack of Har-
vey county and which has heretofore
been explained. 1t creates state
/ highway commission and makes an
appropriation of $4,000 for the pres
ent fiscal year. $4,000 for the year
ending June 80, 1918, and $4,000 for
the year ending June 80, 1919.
Senate Appropriations.
Bills calling for total appropriations
of s615 700 for new buildings or re-
pairs to old buildings at three state
educational institutions were intro
duced in the senate today by four
sena tors.
Senator Carroll of Wabaunsee coun-
ty, introduced a bill carrying an APP
preparation of 100000 for an addition
to the agricultural building at the
State Agricultural college.
Senator Montee of crawford, intro
duced two bills carrying appropriate
tions for the Pittsburg Normal One
provides for an appropriation of $780,
900 for new building. One carries
two appropriations, $4,000 for a new
boiler and $1,000 for an athletic field.
Senator Metcalf of Douglas, intro
duced one bill calling for an appro-
priation of $150,000 for an addition
to the administration building at the
State University and 100000 for the
replacement of the Fine Arts building
at the State University
| Senator Plumb of Lyon introduced
a bill carrying an appropriation OF
$4,000 for the repair of the library at
the Emporia State Normal