The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-05-13
STATE TO SPEND
TEN MILLIONS


IN Wisconsin, which includes also
bridge construction, is laid out on
such broad lines that few people who
are not directly interested, realize
what an immense work is going on.
Now that the projects have been sys-
tematized, nearly as much work is done
IN fall and winter months in the locat-
ing and hauling material and survey
ing, as is done in what were formerly
known as the working months.
ut the beginning OF the present year
the program involved the expenditure,
including federal and state aid, Of
about $18,000,000 fof road construction
alone. In addition more than $1,000
COO had been set aside for the MAIN
tenance of roads already constructed,
including the work of patroling. Bridge
construction, involving the expenditure
of about 1915 900, had been projected.
Some Work Postponed.
Some highway construction projects
have been postponed because of the
exhorbitant prices of material and
labor, but even at this, there viii have
been expended in new road construc-
ton in Wisconsin by the end of the
year, at least 100000
Highway construction in this state.
as explained by Chief Highway Engi-
neeer Hirst, is carried on under two
plans. The first is the federal aid
plan, by which the cost of construc-
ton is borne jointly by the federal
government, the state and the counties.
The second is the state aid plan, under
which the cost is borne jointly by the
state, the counties and the towns.
villages and cities in which the work
is done.
The state legislature raises its share
from the returns from automobile
licenses and by direct tax.
Raise $1,70O,OOO Annually.
The sum of $1,700,000 a year is rails
ed by taxation for the biennium be-
ginning July /, 1919. The joint state
and federal funds are distributed
among the counties, one-third each
in the ration e area, valuation and
total public road mileage. In order
to receive the amounts distributed
from the joint federal and state funds,
the counties are required to provide
additional amounts at least equal to
half the joint state and federal funds.
All highway improvements, including
bridge construction made by federal
aid must be at points, designated by
the state highway commission on the
state trunk highway system of 5000
miles. On receipt of notice from the
state highway commission of the
amount required for an improvement,
it becomes the duty Of the county
board to provide the necessary county
funds. Fifty per cent Of the county's
share of the cost may be assessed by
the county board against the munich
pality in which the work is done.
Federal Aid Important.
All improvements with state aid
must be made on the prospective state
highways, which aggregate about &c.
900 miles and include the state trunk
highway system at points determined
by the county board The chief bene-
fit derived from the big federal appro-
priations, which now total nearly $780,
100000, consists, in Chief Engineer
Hirst's opinion, in the Standardization
of the engineering work in the various
states, the general impetus given to
highway Improvement, and the direct
ing of nation wide attention to the
road problem.
In the opinion of some of those in
adjoining states specially interested
in road improvement, Wisconsin has
been more aggressive and has shown
more intelligence in handling the road
problem than any other state.
Boost Wisconsin Roads.
This view finds expression in an
article appearing in recent number
of the Journal of the Chicago Auto
mobile club, which says:
-s I'm Wisconsin are being built, by
that progressive state, highways, the
most magnificent in the country
astonishing! Wisconsin's internal con-
ditions are the best in the United
States--her agriculture, manufactures,
institutions. Any little interior town
is a gem, and her people in the darkest
corners are cared for. The true birth
place of the eagle is Wisconsin, and
she cares for and develops her brood
just like an eagle. Minnesota's tour
ing ground is not Minnesota is
Wisconsin. Illinois touring ground is
no Illnoisit is Wisconsin. Where
everybody goes, fame and money and
prosperity follows"