Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-03-09
STATE VILE GET
WAR EQUIPMENT
UNDER KAHN BILL
DR.. S. M. Johnson, Who AS
sisted in Framing Bank
head Road Bill, Looking
After Equipment for State

Dr. S. NJ. Johnson of Ruidoso, N.
NJ, one of the best good roads
boosters in the southwest, has been
in Albuquerque visiting his daugh-
ter, Mrs. X. c. Balcomb.y DR.. john
son, at the present time, is connect
ed with the department of agrlcul-
ture in the interest of distribution
of surplus was property.
While in Albuquerque DR.. John
son was in receipt of a telegram
from Washington, to the effect that
the Kahn bill had passed both
houses and that the conferees had
agreed upon the final form of the
bill, which would very likely be-
come a lew within a few days.
The Kahn bill, in its present
form takes away from the secre-
tary of war. the discretionary pow
er which was given him under the
Bankhead bill and, directs him to
transfer for highway purposes all
surplus war property yet remain
ing in the hands of the war de-
partment, through the department
of agriculture, to state highway de-
partments.
According to DR.. Johnson, it is
impossible TO form an estimate of
how much road machinery and
equipment remain for transfer but
it is known that there is an im-
mense quantity.
The value of motor trucks and
road machinery already distribu-
ted to state highway departments
under the Bankhead bill, is over
one hundred million dollars. New
Mexico's share Is about one-fifty-
fifth of this amount.
The only cost to the state for this
equipment is the loading, unload
ing and freight charges.
Under the bill which has passed
congress, restrictions are removed
that confined the use of this equip
ment to federal aid, roads, SO that
now the equipment may be used
on any road in the state.
The state highway department is
making arrangements whereby
each county in the state may secure
upon application as many motor
trucks as may be required for work
in the county 1t is the opinion of
DR.. johnson that county commits
sioners should look ahead in this
matter and secure as many trucks
as may be required FOR future use,
as in all probability an opportunity
of this kind will not present itself
again for many years. This fact
was impressed upon the county
commissioners of Mckinley county
by Mr.. johnson upon his recent
visit there. The county commits
sioners had made arrangements to
secure one truck, but when il was
called to their attention that in all
probability they would not be able
to secure another motor truck on
this basis and they would be able
to get one now at comparatively
insignificant sum, which would be
the freight, unloading and loading
costs, and thus would have a truck
on hand to put on the road while
the other was undergoing repairs,
they decided without any hesitation
to procure two. 1t is understood
that several of the other counties
expect to do likewise.
Under the provisions of the bill
as agreed to. municipalities may
arrange with the state highway
commission for any of this mate
rial which they may obtain upon a
rental basis, which shall not be
less than depreciation. These
trucks cost in the neighborhood of
$500 each and are considered
among the very best made. 1t is es-
timated there is now in New Mex
leo upwards of 100000 worth of
this property. This equipment has
been obtained by persistent efforts
of the state highway commission.
It was stated that Charles
Springer, who spent ten days in
Washington last June. is regarded
among the national leaders in good
road movements, as one of the
abIest men of those serving on any
state highway commission. DIR.
Johnson also stated that the work
of |. A. Gillette, state engineer, at
Louisville, KY, for the continuation
of federal aid by legislation to the
state and for the federal govern
ment to exceed one-half the cost in
the western public land states on
account of the large area of public
and non- taxable lands, is known
and appreciated by all the great
organizations for highway imrove-
ments.