Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1919-03-21

time for a statewide system OF main
market highways and TO assure Michl-
gan Of its full share Of Federal aid
money.
Then 1t is not a $50,000,000 bond
issue which the people are asked 20
ratify?
No. Under the terms Of the amend
ment, $50,O0O,000 is put as limit
beyond which the Legislature never
must go.
Will the $4,000, geo in bonds be is
sued at once?
They will not. The State Highway
Department is authority for the state
ment that about 100000 will be is
sued the first year, another $5,OOO,0OO
the next year, but even this is under
the control of the people through their
representatives in the Legislature.
What assurance has the taxpayer
that the whole $5O,000.00O will not be
issued at once?
The ratification Of the amendmSnt
only gives authorization for the issue
of bonds. After that, the Legislature
must act and Michigan's legislators
never will impose a greater burden
than will meet with the approval OF
their constituents.
Why issue bonds? Why not raise
money by direct tax?
If Michigan is to have the some ST.
600, 900 the United States Government
has set aside as the Wolverine States
portion of the Federal aid fund, We
must match this sum, dollar for dollar.
To do this by direct tax would impose
too great a burden for only a two
year period. BY issuing bonds, the
money can be had, the roads built at
once and the burden Of the expense
spread over period Of twenty or
thirty years.
Are there any other reasons?
Yes. We should bond for good roads
because under this system OF fnanc.
ing, We can use the highways and let
them help pay for themselves. It's
just like the deferred payment plan
on farm machinery. Another reason
is found in the fact that generations
to follow will have the use and bene-
fits from these permanent highways
Why should they not help bear the
burden?
What assurance has Michigan that
It will receive 100000 in Federal aid
for road building?
Congress has appropriated $780,
100000 and President Wilson has APP
proved the bill. The United States
Department of Agriculture has conpuL
ed Michigan's share Of the new and
old Federal aid appropriation for the
ensuing two years as $6,791 1879.
Michigan must provide like amount.
What If Michigan fails?
The money then will be apportioned
among other states and Michigan peo-
pie, through their share of the burden
of federal governmental expense, will
be helping other, more progressive
states to build their highways.
Will there be more Federal aid for
road Improvement in Michigan?
Yes. The sum of s7,000.009 for the
next two years is jiit : beginning.
The war has opened : ace Sans eyes
to the need for Good Roads He re-
cognizes his own responsibility in the
development of highways such as won
the war in Europe and made ordinary
road traffic the most important factoc
in the up-building not only of the local
community, but the nation.
Where will the money be spent?
Under the new Federal aid appro-
priation measure, the application Is
so broad that It may. be used on any
Michigan main market highway.
Who will be responsible for an eco.
nomical expenditure of the money?
State Highway Commissioner Frank
r. Rogers. His work will be under
the supervision of the United States
Department Of Agriculture.
VIII there be large portion devot'
ed to fancy salaries and overhead ad
ministrative expenses?
No. The State Highway Department
has record extending over a long
term of years for having spent less
than four per cent Of its appropriation
In administrative or overhead expen
ses. With a larger volume of work
this will be decreased to three pei
cent or less. Compare this with TWEEN
ty.four per cent In New York and con
slider for a moment that no other state
attempts to do the work for less thar
ten per cent
! Will the whole Of the $4,000, zoe
maximum In road bonds ever be IS
, sued?
Yes, but not under ten years. This
State Highway Department has an
nounced that 1t will be impracticablt
to use more than s5,OOO.OO0 in any one
year.
IL the amendment is ratified, must
Michigan begin paying interest a.
once?
No. There will be no interes
charges until bonds actually are solo
and the sale will be in only such sums
as may be economically used.