El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-01-04

Mexico the sun OF 81, 10000 In the
five-year period from July /, 1916, to
June 80, 1891, has been forwarded
TO the secretary OF agriculture for
his approval, and upon his favorable
action the various road projects may
be taken up from time to time as
finances permit. The program for the
fiveryear period submitted to him will
require some new legislation, and
funds made available TO meet the fed
eral assistance.
t'The estimated cost OF the state
system as outlined Is $5,46s,256. II
deduct from this the cost OF the.
work done to date, amounting to ST.
100000, we have an estimated cost for
work yet to he done OF ABOUT $4,250.-
600. To meet this amount the state
funds will net about $4,000 in the.
next five years, based on the income
under the provisions of the laws now
in effect, with allowances made for
some increases as valuations increase.
As stated, the apportionment under
the federal aid bill will amount to
s ,170,000, which must be met with an
equal amount of state funds. This
means that we will have to Increase
our state income by $4,000 in the
next five years, to meet the federal
assistance, and this can be dore only
by an increase in taxes, subscriptions.
county donations or bond issues.
1.-The forest service funds for road
work will approximate $4,000 annu-
ally for the next five years, or a total
Of $4,000. By meeting the federal
apportionment we will have funds for
the five-year state highway program
as follows: Federal aid, 1 LILO, 600
funds to meet it, s1,170,000; for
est appointments, 100000; total,
80, 550000.
''This total will leave a balance of
81, 100000 necessary to complete the
highway system as outlined.
to this the $37O,0O0 which it
will be necessary to raise to give us
sufficient state funds to meet the fed
efal superintendent, we are confront
ed by the necessity of raising a total
Of approximately s 100000. In order
to do this, 7 would recommend a bond
of 5 2 100000, to become effect
I've at the earliest possible time"
Report Complete and Interesting
The report of State Engineer
French is d complete and interesting
Of state activities in road and
construction during the last
two years, and equals the first bien-
NAL report Of his office, which set a
standard for state engineering depart
1t Is a demonstration Of the
efficiency OF his branch OF the state
government, containing a wealth Of
detail bearing on the various classes
Of work done and the expenditures
made, and showing careful and COM
supervision.
AS will be seen in the summary
above, the state roads constructed in
the two-year period covered by the
report totaled 1894 miles; the
built under the supervision of
he state engineer numbered 10S, and
he money expended Under his directi
ion amounted to 1888, 70SS0
Figures on water applications and
show gratifying progress III
irrigation and power development.
important Recommendations
The enactment OF, a new road law
to that introduced at the last
of the Legislature; the repeal
# the 1915 law giving half Of tho au-
ofnobile licenses TO The counties, and
he levying Of a tax on all horse
vehicles, are among the recon-
nendations made by Nj. French In
lis report. He also suggests that con
lets working on state roads shall be
maintained by the ~penitentiary, and
furnished to the road 3 camps at SO
much per day, this arrangement re-
that now In effect, under
Which conylcts IN road camps are
maintained out Of the road fund. IN
connection with the Recommendations
he report says:
Il would recommend q ltax on all
l%orse-drawn vehicles. This tax might