The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-02-22
HIGHWAY DISTRICT LAW
EXPLAINED BY SCOTT OGDEN

AT the request OF numerous persons
who do not fully understand the var
ious road laws Scott Ogden, we'll
known attorney of Moscow who has
made study of the laws of this state
concerning roads, gives to the read
ers of this paper some valuable in
formation on the subject. Mr.. Ogden's
article follows:
Having had a number of inquiries
as to the purposes of the organization
of the highway district to be voted on
tomorrow. and believing that all the
publicity possible should be given the
matter in order that the people may
be fully informed on the subject when
they go to vote, am taking this means
of giving such information as | may
think of interest.
First, | desire to say that the law
authorizing highways districts con-
templates the improvement of all the
roads in the district. as we'll as the es-
tablishment of any new roads shown
to be to the public convenience or the
best interests of the people of the dis
trict and not merely the improve
ment of any particular road
After the people have decided by
their vote that the district should be
formed, the governor will appoint
three highway commissioners who will
hold their offices until the following
January and for four years thereafter,
and from that time on the people will
elect their commissioners, the terms
being four years. These commissioners
will have practically the same pow
ers over the roads within their district
as the board of county commissioners
now have over the roads within the
county. The district may, by two
thirds vote, authorize the issuance of
bonds for the purpose of building
permanent roads and improving the
roads generally within the district
The impression seems to have gone
out in parts of the proposed district
that it was the intention to build only
the connecting link of the north and
south state road at the expense of all
the people of the district. This is not
and cannot be the case. Before any
bonds are issued or oven voted up the
board must first pass a res
1lution authorizing the bonds, subject
% the vote of the people, and the res
)lution so passed by the board must
clearly state the purpose of the bond,
md it is foregoing conclusion that
he people are not going to vote for a
which will not be to their
when | say interests
have the people of the entire dis
rict in mind
1t is true that the government has
appropriated a large sum of money to
,e expended in road construction in
daho, and the state has created a fund
or the so-called north and south
tate road. 1t is hoped this road will
20 through Latah county, and in fact
through this district But under the
aw the maintenance of the road. when
nee constructed, will be borne by the
tate exclusively Therefore, if that
Dad is constructed the cost of its
will not have to be borne
~ the people of the district, and the
money which would otherwise be ex-
,ended on the north and south road
through the district, should it be built
here through, can be used for the i'm
of the roads in other parts
# the district. 1t is my understand
ng that in order to get state aid on
his road it is important that the dis
riot be created.
1t has also been rumored that the
money raised in this district would
)e spent on lHe ITuIlk IOdu DelWeeu
1oscow and Lewiston. This, likewise.
S not and cannot be true. District
70. l. commonly known as the Thorn
Jreek' District, comes to the corpor-
tie limits of Moscow on the south,
md the money of this district could
lot be used in the Thorn Creek dis
rict, or any place else outside OF this
district, except in specific instances
he commissioners of two districts or
he commissioners of district and
he county commissioners may agree
lpon the join improvement of a piece
# road where it would be mutually
to both. But even in such
:ases the law safeguards the district
" specific limitations.
The object OF the vote at this time
S merely to create the district, and
lot for bonds. and the purpose is
to place the people of the
istrct in a position where they can
ave the roads under their control
nd improve them in the proper spirit
nd in keeping with the times.
SCOTT OGDEN.