The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1917-03-31
HIGHWAY BILL MEANS
MUCH FOR NEVADA
Was One of the Most Constructive
Pieces Of Legislation Passed
by Recent Legislature

One of the most constructive pieces
of legislation ever enacted into law
in Nevada is the State Highway Act,
which was passed by the recent Legis-
lature, says the Reno Gazette. Great
ing a State highway department,
providing for the employment OF a
skilled highway engineer to super
wise road construction, declaring
system of State highways and max
ing a special tax levy for the current
and succeeding years to finance the
undertaking.
The bill had been in process of for
nation for many weeks prior to its
introduction. and while it was
amended in slight particulars it was
written into the statutes almost in
dentically along the lines as first laid
down by its authors. Important
concessions were made to counties
not touched by the highway system.
but as only three counties are left
they are fully protected by special
provision returning them their full
contribution to the State highway
fund, and by further provision
which gives them whatever proper
ton would justly accrue to them
from the federal aid extended to
Nevada for highway construction,
the latter amounts to be determined
by the proportion which their tax
able wealth bears to the total taxable
wealth of the State.
Only three counties are left out of
the highway system-Storey, Clark
and Lincoln.
The bill provides for the appoint
ment by the Governor Of three high
way directors who will receive sal
airy of $40 per day for the time actu-
ally devoted to their duties. These
three directors are removable at the
pleasure of the Governor. They. in
turn, appoint the highway engineer
at an annual salary of $4,000. who
may be removed at their pleasure.
The highway engineer is given
broad powers and is made the direct
ing head of the highway department
after giving $4,000 bond. He is
given authority to employ his own
clerical and engineering assistants,
and to lay out roads. determine the
manner of their improvements and
to make contracts under the direction
of the highway directors.
Beginning this year a special high
way tax is levied upon all property in
the State. including the net revenues
from mines. of seven cents on the
one hundred dollars of valuation.
Next year and in succeeding years
the highway tax levy will be ten
cents on the 500. In addition to the
State tax all counties through which
the highway system passes are re-
quired to levy a special highway tax
equal in amount to that levied by
the State.
These revenues go into the State
highway fund and will be expended
by the highway department under
direction of the engineer. The de-
partment is also authorized to direct
and supervise local road construction
for any county at the exclusive cost
of such county when funds are made
available and request is made by the
commissioners of such county.
tits mot expected that any extensive
construction work will be done In the
year 1917. In fact. it is believed at
this time that the entire year will be
devoted by the department and the
engineer to making surveys. relocat-
ing dangerous and expensive stretch
es of roads. investigating road ma
terials, and In preparing plans and
specifications for contracts that will
be let next Winter for work to be
undertaken In 1918.
At least 1925. 900 and possibly $3.50.
600 will be at the command of the
department in 1918 from State. coun-