The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-09-08
HOW NEW YORK
FINANCED ROADS
Empire State Since 1898 Has Expended
or Pledged Sl2O,OOO,OOO For High.
way improvements.

Ry Eugene Travis, state Comptroller.
Probably the largest single item of
expenditure included in the annual APP
preparation law has 10 do with the build ,
ing of our highways Since 1895 when |
tlre first expenditures Of state funds /
was made for their construction and ]
maintenance. New York has expended or /
pledged over S12O,OOOOOO. This was not /
the first state aid, however, as nearly |
a century ago attempts were made to |
encourage the improvement OF high /
wavs by legislative grants to turnpike |
and bridge corporations. These com |
panies were allowed to charge toll rates
regulated and afterward maintained by
the state until acquired as free roads.
| I'p to the close of the nineteenth cen
: tury. the care and maintenance Of the
public highways was left almost com
pletey to the locality, the boards OF
supervisors being restricted upon the
lamount Of property assessed. The com
missioner of highways in each county
WAS boss. and he could order every man
over twenty-one. with the exception ot
clergymen and county officials TO work
lupon the roads. But the new era Of
road construction in the Empire state
began In 1898. when provision was made
for the state % construct few maca-
dam roads. the cost to be apportioned
Iamong the state counties and towns,
|upon a basis Of so. 35 and 10 per centum
of the cost
For the Improvement OF the town
roads. the state paid under the Money
system Act" % each town which had
abandoned It's autiquatcd labor system
land paid It's highway tax IN cash,
sum equal to % percent OF the tax
levied The amount paid 20 the towns
lin 1899 was S345l7. This years share.
recently distributed. totalling Sl956.2O6.
while the combined sum during the past
two decades amounts 10 $l943ls3s. In
1907 % new plan was adopted by which
1.-The counties paid two per centum for
each 81 900 ~ assessed valuation per
mile The towns paid one per centum
and the state the balance, excepting
that bon no case could the county pa,
, more than 35 per coutum or the town
more than rs per contum Of this as.
,essed valuation
Ia 1905. however. occurred the first oi
the two great highway bond issues,
which 20 date amounts 20 slOOOoOOoO
. That year "a constitutional amendment
was passed authorizing the issuance of
$50 900 600 fifty.year bonds. This issue
became obligated by 1918. and of the
second $50 600 600 adopted by referen.
. dun. $4,000 900. has been obligated In
. order 20 meet these issues for redemp.
tion. a sinking fund has been provided.
b (which al the close of the last fiscal year
amounted 20 almost 26 million dollars.
The annual contribution Go this fund
/. Hast year amounted to Si.s2iNi2.55. The
{ first $50 600 600 was expended in build.
Z ing short stretches n road scattered
throughout the state These highway
d began nowhere and ended nowhere. and
o. II they had been allowed 90 remain
b without connecting links would haF,
p been practically useless
. I'm order 20 complete these disconucc
ted roads. special appropriations
Amounting 20 1885 900 were made foi
B. the so.callod expedited route The act
t lapproprlatng the second {jo0oo.0o0 fol
k highway Improvement was passed ir
s. 1912. and of this sum 100000 600 is fol
{. state highways and $4,000 600 foi
s. county roads. the amount being ap
y portioned among the counties accord
!, INK 10 population. area and mileage o
l improved road Constitutional provis
a ion incorporated In the Good Road sec
j. ton provides for the creation Of a sink
ing fund Of at least two per centun
g. per annum 10 discharge the principa
IS and interest Of these bonds
W The counties and towns can be- CON
.e PEELED 10 pay their proportionatc shar
ir but In no instance is the county 10 b
y called upon for more than 3j.loOths AM
AZ no town for more than i5l00ths of th
be- cost Another effort of the State TO
,e improve Us highways has 10 do wit
"a the elimination ~ grade crossing
which. so far has unfortunately pr'