The Daily Missoulian., 1917-03-16
FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH IS, 1917.
THE HIGHWAY BILL.

Is Governor Stewart planning to veto the high
way bill and in this manner rerpetuate the office
OF Highway Commissioner Metlen? Some of the
persons most vitaily interested in the measure
which was drafted by the last session Of the iegis
lature are convinced that this is his purpose. a
prominent Helena attorney, whose impulse in this
has been traced by some to the governors Of
fice has been exceedingly busy with the county
commissioners all over the state in endeavor to
secure unfavorable comments on the bill. This
astute gentleman has been writing letters to the
various county boards which in practically every
instance have the bill and but
vaguely familiar with It's contents. The letter it.
self is written in such manner that the natural
answer to it would be adverse to the bill.
strenuous fight was made the floor of ~
house by the men considered the governors per-
sonal representatives in order to defeat the high
way bill drafted by the joint committees OF the
house and senate. 1t openly charged by the
representatives defending the new measure that
the present highway commission could show moth
ing but road map and a blue print Of a standard
bridge the results Of the past two years work
The new highway bill is not to prove sue
the present system under which the highways of
the state receiving practically no consideration
The bill now before the governor for signature.
briefly summarized would divide the state into II
districts with a representative from each district
on the highway board. This would not, has
been stated by opponents of the measure.
create IL new officers The commissioners
from the various districts serve without pay:
receiving only their mileage and per diem
commission. This board has general supervisory
powers much as the city commission has charge
Of the work of it's manager. 1t selects competent
highway engineer and passes his rccommcn-
dations. The belief is that in this way system
of state highways can be laid out and work COM
menced building the most important trunk lines
first. gradually extending operations until net
work of state roads has been constructed
The most grievous criticism Of the present meth
Cd is that there Is no definite plan for state high
ways. The work which has been done is of dis
connected character and does not lead toward per
mancnt bcttcrment Of road conditions.
The law has caused automobsts to
set up awful wall in regard to the high cost OF
schedule is so arranged that the pleasure pay
the heavier tax and this would equitable as
not only are their owners usually moro able to pay
a higher tax, but derive benefit from good
roads than the machines used for business pur.
poses around the city. The license fee is bascc
on the amount of horsepower per machine which
also seems fair.
The feature which should make the law more
acceptable to the automobile owners is that
half OF the amount collected goes to the count,
road fund and one half to the state highway fund
The law also prevents any occurrence like tn
tin tag" affair and would make it impossible 70
any state official to graft the sale OF cens
tags.
The law shauid really give better satisfac
ton and place the road building Of the state on
basis where some permanent good will be accom-
pshed. Provision is made for accepting the fed
cral aid offered to states which have a definit
system of highway building. The bill does nc
as has been stated, create offices and til
money collected should. under this measure, b
applied where it belongs--to the construction an
maintenance OF roads.