El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-06
WILL NEW MEXICO ALSO UNDERTAKE
A REAL BIG ROADS ENTERPRISE?

TIE Kew Mexico legislature as well as that Of Arizona,
VIII put through some kind Of a big good roads pro-
ie at this session the desire Of the public that that be
done strongly enough indicated This week IS expected
the introduction at Santa Fe Of providing
for 100000 bond issue for highways IS recognized
that New Mexico viii remain at standsn as regards
roads unless its main highways compare favoraby with
those Of adjoining states With Arizona contemplating
S0oo0oO bond issue Tor roads Though the Arizona leg
aors rather awed BY the size Of the proposed issue
l0ath authorize it, and with California already
having spent s2oOOOOO0 its roads New Mexico must
stop road building in small fragments in the past and
DO Il scale commensurate with the requirements Of
motor travel there viii be very little tourist traffic by
automobile through that state.
Prominent residents Of New Mexico who are IN a posi-
lien TO know say that the state has been absolutely
lated this winter from the rest OF the country far
motor travel IS concerned II is argued that bond issue
OF SoO0ooo0 viii that the United States govern
msnt VIII match that sum with appropriation Of equal
size.
since road building goes mostly into wages the com
bned fund is expected to provide employment for 10000
sn foT two years. thus solving the problem of employing
the returning from It would also relieve
poTaTy the tax budget making unnecessary the general
levy and the specific eves for building That last
not matter to be given much consideration however, for
ne elimination OF present taxation would be counter
balanced BY the fact that the bond issue would have to
be paid off sometime and the interest and the sinking fund
would neoessitzts taxation Proponents Of big road pro
gram meet this with the assertion that gasoline
and the be derived motor licenses would
provide money to meet the interest on the bonds pro-
vide sinking fund with which to pay of the indebted
ness There Is no question but that money spent in dr6
lets here and there out in this country Of des
sr and mountain forest and plain all intersected BY
yons OF sand washes is practically money thrown the
winds To be worth WHILE roads have be built IN their
entirety and then they have to be kept up If New Mex
1eo and Arizona 90 into road building big scale they
must they are WISE also make preparations for main
r1iuing those roads
As ror the tax gasoline mentioned above, It az
gued that tax Of two cents gallon would give the state
Of New Mexico income from that source Of 5000 day
jobs inspectors would be provided quite number Of
turning soldiers and sailors they be paid percentage
basis.
Economy IS understood to be the watchvord Of the
present session Of the legislature and It finds many sup
porers outside the legislature But whether the question
Of economy be allowed interfere with good roads
program IS problem the legislature and the people viii
have TO decide In ether words would be good bus
ns to undertake heavy investment in good roads N the
expectation Of increased income by reason Of having those
good reads? New Mexico cannot well afford to lag be-
no other states in public improvements IN education
nttutoHs and highways The people flocing into Cali
oTn1a do not ask; What your school expenditures
pat What kind Of schools have you? What kind of roads?
How living coudtions?" No taxes are levied at the
north pole OF among the eannibals Of the Upper Congo
but there IS no rush Of people capital to either place
he legislature Of New Mexico VIII do vel to insist that
public moneys Be spent wisely that economy that does
not impair efficiency be insisted upon but It must also
realize that parSm0ny Vin bring prosperity TO the
people OF build up the state.