The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-01-23
Federal Aid For Roads

Amendments, passed last Feb
ruary, to the Federal aid road act
have greatly facilitated the work
of putting the country on good
roads basis, in the opinion of David
F. Houston, Secretary of Agricui-
ture. These amendments, in brief,
increase from $4,000 to S20, 900 per
mile the amount of Federal funds
that may be expended by one road
and considerably broaden the defini-
ton Of what constitutes rural post
road. The act as it now stands, saws
Secretary Houston, In his annual
report, places only three limita-
tions on the type of road which may
be built. as follows:
! That the roads shall be 'substan-
tial in character This means that
the road must be so constructed that
it will carry the prospective traffic
with such maintenance expenses
that the total annual charges will
represent reasonable expenditure
for the public service rendered by
the highway. 1t is to the interest
of the States that the roads on
which Federal funds are used be
substantially constructed, because
the law requires them, or their
civil subdivisions, as a prerequisite
: to receiving further funds, to main
tain properly all roads built with
Federal aid. There is nothing in
: the law which restricts types of con-
struction between narrower limits
than those established by sound
: finance and good engineering
practice.
: That the amount contributed
from the Federal Treasury IN con-
> nection with any road shall not ex-
ceed so per cent of its cost or $20,-
: 900 a mile. The main thing is to
build a road that will stand the
y traffic in the particular section of
the country where it is constr ucted.
: The conditions IN certain regions
- may require a heavy, comparatively
+ high-cost type of road, while in
. others lower cost type may meet
: all the requirements. Sentiment
is growing throughout the country,
y even in the newer sections in favor
"a OF more substantial roads. sThe
u people are beginning to realize that
J. the expense of maintaining the
lighter traffic types under heavy
- traffic is unbearable.
THAT the road must be rural
post road as defined in the act as
amended; that is, any public road
major portion of which is now
used or can be used or forms con-
u Meeting link not to exceed 10 miles
'e in length of any road or roads now
'e or hereafter used for the transpor
IL tation of the United States mails.
&C Under the original wording of thu
law Federal funds could be. expend
"a ed only on roads upon which the
Ut United States mails now are o.
le- may hereafter be transported.
'h' This feature was the most trouble
re- some to the highway department
III of the various States. 1t required
ce' definite determination in eacl
" case of the actual -post-route statu
III OF the road which necessarily in
m volved delays in many instances
re- Under the new definition very fey
ST. important roads if any will be bar
ice red from receiving Federal aid
,eo all the other requirements of tn
act are met.
o. o. Secretary Houston believes ths
- the Federal Government should col
- tinue its present policy of particlp'
81 81 tion in road-Duilding operations +
~ the appropriation, If the financi;
~ condition of the Nation. permits !
~ ~ of $1OO, 100000 for at least each I
Al; the four years beginning with Il
-. 49, fiscal year 1922 to be expended u
49,. der the terms of existing Ieglsl
I'd tion.