Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-16
LICENSE FEES PAY
FOR ROAD BUILDING
Illinois Auto Revenues Are
Capitalized in Bond Issue
Scheme.
HAS 500, 100000 AVAILABLE
Twenty-Five States in Missis-
sippi Valley Declare for
Washington Plan.
HAS $50, 100000 AVAILABLE
by w. g. EDExs.

Copyright. l92O.p
NEW YORK. May l5.--Thc Illinois
good roads idea emphasizes two facts
iirst. that the good roads problem Is
esse ntialiy local, and secondly. that
in its widest development necessi-
tates 4 combination o: local inter-
csts OF such Widespread character
that each state must combine with
the surrounding States in developing
chief iocn! highways into main IN
tcrs;ate highways.
The Illinois idea in pcrfcctinE State
roads has been crystaliZed in the
tate bond issue scheme under which
automobile licenses are capitalized in
such way as to finance naintcn-
ances and construction OF the main
highways or the state. as well as SUI
perTise the construction and main
tenance OF the chief feeders.
Tho Illinois Idea as applied to the
n nn,n Highway y, system. was
convention at Washington In Decem-
Der. This is n constitutional co-opera-
ton between the bureau OF roads in
The United States Department Of
Agriculture anu the State highway
departments on the so-ca,!cd Fede, .,
aid roads. IL Is opposed 10 the con-
ccnfration Of the full control over
Federal highways IN any Fedora.
commission.
ininoi. Hucks Federal Plan.
\ Few States were willing TO d!vcst
u
aid roadR and turn their power over
20 a Federal commission or a Federal
bureau. Other states had no well for
INFLATED plan on this subject and
were Wiling TO go either way ILL.,
nois. however. stood for the develops
mcnt D! the Federal aid road bur, ,u
az we'll rs the pcrfeciing OF the
states Gritty. This combination APP
Twenty-Five states in the Mississip:..
VALLEY c>I"ntion. Tho result VIII
be genera adoption or the Illin5:s
plan in all OF the Mississippi Valley
States. and within short time tie
main roads to Illinois Will pick up
the main roads in the adjoining States
and Will GRADUALLY extend so far
north as Canada and as far South as
New Orleans and the Gulf OF Mexico
as well as TO the Rockies and the AL
lcghanies.
! 80 more effective object lesson fo,
the Inspiration to patriotic endeavor
on the part OF our citizenship IS
presented than that OF the national
| and local governmental agencies
working together In the task OF pro-
v!dirg roads disable all the year round
| for marketing or the products OF tho
| fields. forests. mines. and streams
use OF roads Is basically local prob
lem and the extension OF help by
Federal and state legislation Is n
demonstration OF the interests OF all
4
| needs OF the men at either end OF
! the roads and in the comforts OF his
, family.
Good Road Always Asset.
That some highways may be con-
rcctcd in an Interstate system sub
from the fact that n good road is the
shortest distance from producer to
/ consumer.
TO. foster the very essential home
supply. and the same time TO main
tain the general supervision neccs-
sary from extensive road program, n
combination O: State and nation is
desirable.
BASED on Information gathered IN
the States OF the Mississippi Valley
the conclusion is that tho office OF
2ublic roads should he enlarged into
one of tho most energetic and usefu:
in the Department OF Agriculture and
'ha, the present Federal system b..
understood.
Postwar problems have inter
rupted good roads work all over the
country and Illinois is no exception
among the States where construction
portaiion conditions. During the year
1919 approximately 200 miles OF per-
mancotly improved roads were nut
into use; This year II is proposed
be aided. The question Of financing
viii come 10 the fore again. due TO
| the Increased cost OF everything tina,
goes into 4 road since tho estimates
We're made on which the amount To-.
SIn,dO0,oo0 was set as the cost OF
t.Soh miia' OF ROAD on the main
travelled state system.
License Fees ia Care for Cost.
During the twenty years in which,
I these roads are to be paid for the
estimated automobile license fees
were set " s1i7.00o.o00 out of which
The $50, 100000 WAS to come It now
appears possible that IAN additional
amount will have to he taken from
this :i41. nh0.G0o in the .orm of new
fond issue or other method OF finanr-
ing. The amount above that used on
he state system roads goes into the
state aid and other Federal roads ana
into maintenance
Illinois has in sight for use ms fast
as construction can be pushed. APP
proXimately S90.00O,000 for road pur-
poses. There is no State which has n
brighter outlook. The chief problem
is one of physical construction. the
encouragement: OF new contracting
firms and the development of engin-
eerS to handle the immense project.