The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-25
That Is Appropriation To Be
Asked for Highways.
Biggest Appropriation Ever
Sought From Legislature.
To COMPLETE PLANS FRIDAY
Kansas Good Roads Association
Will Meet Here Then.
Amendment to Constitution
Also VIII Be Urged. 4

Sixty million dollars for permanent
highway construction is the program
which will be checked up to the state
legislature at a special meeting of the
directors of the Kansas Good Roads
association in Topeka Friday. The
program calls for system of 5000
miles of permanent roads in Kansas.
Two amendments to the state con-
stitution will be asked in the effort to
put the big road plan in operation.
The measure to be submitted to the
state legislature will break all ap-
preparation provisions in Kansas.
Never in the history of the state has a
project before the legislature called
for such an enormous expenditure of
funds. The money, however. is to be
raised without direct taxation and will
be provided from motor license funds
and special revenues. In general
way the plan to build 5000 miles of
roads in Kansas covers the provisions
adopted recently in Illinois, where the
highway project was approved by a
vote of five or six to one.
Send Out Letters Today.
Plans for the gigantic highway
project were outlined today in letters
sent to directors of the Kansas Good
Roads association. The letters were
signed by w. F. Hughes of Beloit.
pTtSlutIL VI Lie dSSOCldtlOil,, anu ny u.
Frank Smith, general manager Of the
organization.
One provision to be brought before
the state legislature will call for an
amendment to the state constitution
for permission for the state to engage
in internal improvements insofar as
such improvements relate only to
highway, bridge and culvert con-
struction. The second amendment will
provide for the collection of motor
license fees for highway building. 1t
was stated in the letter that under a
ruling of S. NJ. Brewster, attorney
general, both proposed amendments
may be submitted in the 1920 election.
If such measures are adopted, the
enormous highway project may be
put in operation in two years. Coun-
ties which are now planning big road
building Ca mpaisns for next year will
not be interfercd with in the prosecu-
ton of their individual programs.
Breaks All Records.
The demand for sixty million dol
lars for highways breaks all state rec
ords for lump sum expenditures of
funds. No project submitted to for
mer Kansas legislature called for a
sum in any manner compared to the
amount asked under the present pro-
gram. Since the request for funds af-
fects motor car owners almost en-
tlrely, II Is pTODdDle tHhC the measure
will meet with less opposition than
many mparatively small measures
seeking direct appropriations and pay
ment by general taxation. The big
road program will without question
be one of the big measures before the
coming session and state and nation
wide interest will be centered on the
legislative action regarding the pro-
posed amendments.
Under the program as outlined by
officers of the Good Roads association,
i Kansas would assume a place in the
| front rank of states seeking to adopt
a general system of permanent high
ways. 1t is the purpose of the high
way association to enable the state to
engage in road building under a policy
which will permit the use of funds
| paid by motor car users. Officers of
+ the association assert that the entire
, expense of the 5000 mile road build
ing project will be met by use of spe-
cial funds and without direct general
state taxation.