Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-08-12
The Ten Million Bond Issue.

The Ten Million Bond Issue.
NECESSARY TO SECURE HIGHWAY NONE,
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
On the second Monday in Septembe
the voters of Maine will vote on amend
ments to the constitution, one OF which
increases the amount of state bond
which may be issued to ten million dol
lars. Why this is necessary, and wha
the state will gain In aid from the United
States government by matching Its ap
propriations is shown in statement is
sued by the Maine Automobile Associa
ton.
somewhat beyond the ordinary limits Of
the average country weekly. It's firsi
part is devoted to history of the work
that Maine has done in the line of high
way improvement, beginning with pre-
liminary work in 1905. This is not prac
ticable to give in detail. The rest of The
article, which is of interest and import
ance, Is as follows:
A summary of the work of the High
way Commission during the last siz
years shows that altogether the Commits
sion has reconstructed 1,289 miles OF
road, of which 800 miles is state high.
way and 796 miles is state aid, the bal.
ance of the work having been done under
special resolves or other special funds.
One million six hundred thousand dol.
lars has been expended for maintenance
and about S397, 900 for bridge construc.
ton. The gross expenditure is SO, ,567 900.
For supervising the expenditure of all
this money the Commissions expense,
including all Office and clerical expense,
has been 500, 1000 or little over two per
cent. All engineering and supervision
expenses in the field have added about
another three per cent, so that roughly
speaking the overhead expense for con-
ducting this work has been about five
per cent, which compares fsvorably
with similar expense for any trausporta-
ton, mercantile, or other commercial
undertaking.
FEDERAL AID AND STATE BOND ISSUE.
In 1916 the federal government pro-
vided an appropriation of S75, ,000, 900 to
be expended over period of five years,
for assisting states in the construction OF
their principal thoroughfares. OF this
appropriation Maine was entitled to draw
total of $723, ,270 of which $290,000 was
available prior to July this year. The
Highway Commission has arranged to
take all of this S29O,00O and considera-
bly, over $780, 900 of the amount has been
drawn. On the first of July, 1919, an ad-
ditional $4,000 was available to the
state from this original appropriation,
and on July 1, 1920, S240, 900 more be-
comes available. At the present time we
cannot apply for the $l92, 1000 as we have
no funds with which to match the fed
eral governments spportionment.
In March, 1919, the federal govern.
ment made an additional 100000 900
available for federal aid, and for the past
three months the state of Maine has been
entitled to apply for S4S1, 900 of this
money, and on the first day of July, 1919,
we could apply for s721, ,S47 more. Due
to want of funds for state highway con-
struction, we have not and cannot apply
against either of these amounts. On the
first day of July, 1920, an additional
$721,S47 will be available. Altogether,
from the original federal aid sppropria-
ton, Maine is entitled to $2,64S, 1875 So
and we have only applied for 5000, 161 .92.
This leaves practically 100000 Of fed
eral aid which the state can have be-
tween now and July /, 1920, provided we
are in position to match this money with
state funds. The bond issue authorized
by the last Legislature and to be voted
upon on the second Monday of Septem-
Der, offers the only opportunity for &C.
cepting the federal governments very
generous offer of aid as outlined above.
lApportionments of federal aid stand for
twelve months and II not taken by the
state to which the apportionment Is orig.
inally made, the money Is reapportioned
to other states. Consequently, between
now and July 1, 1920, Maine must be pre-.
pared to file applications against all ol
this money, except about 1862, 900, and
we will have an additional twelve months
on the spportionments made on July 1,
1920.
It is the intention of the State High.
way Commission, provided the bond is.
sue is passed, to Immediately request the
Secretary or Agriculture, to approve the
entire state highway system as federal
aid road, and the Commission has had
unofficial assurance that this will be
done, In this case federal aid will be
used in prosecuting the reconstruction
of all state highways, and 1t Is estimated
by the Commission that four or five years
at the outside will see every mile of state
highway now laid out completed.
These points should be borne in mind
about the bond issue: 1t Is designed to
provide money for the construction Of
state highways, intra- and interstate
bridges. The bonds will be issued only
as they are required.
If this bond issue is authorized 1t will
make possible the acceptance of further
federal aid which undoubtedly will be
granted by the federal government, al
bills are already in Congress asking fol
further federal aid appropriations to sup
plement those already provided which
will expire in1921. If the state is obliged
TO agitate bond issue every few years
to meet federal aid it means that We
shall lose one whole seasons work ol
road construction each time bond Issue
is being discussed.
There is one point in connection with
the federal aid which should be borne ir
mind: Chief Engineer Paul D. Sargent
of the Highway Department, has beer
told by no less an authority than W. j
Thompson, Master of the State Grange
! aud ex-member of the Board of State Az
SCISSORS, that of all federal taxation th'
81 ate of Maine pays about one per cent
1t is q curious coincidence, but of th'
federal aid for road building the state o.
Maine is entitled to draw practically ont
per cent. This means that II we do no
accept federal aid now available We shal
lose not only the amount of the fedora
aid but we shall pay in federal taxation
an equal amount, so that we will los'
practically twice the amount OF fedora
aid which we can have, provided th'
bond issue is passed.
4 To summarize: Let us remember tina
the State Highway Commission is at
tempting to first complete the five ant
one half per cent Of our mileage included
in the system of state highways. At th
same time the state. and towns togethe
are rebuilding an additional twelve pc
couk of onr mileaOa omprfe6d in tn