The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-01-20
URGE EFFORTS
TO GET FUNDS
Highway Department Asks Co.
operation To Obtain Fed
eraI Appropriation

Practically all of Tdaho's allotment
Of federal funds has already been alb
sorbed.
II Is Of the utmost importance to
Idaho that liberal federal aid approp-
riations be made by congress, and the
appropriation bill should be passed
and approved at the earliest possible
date. Many resolutions and memori-
ais have been presented to congress
urging prompt favorable action on ad-
ditional appropriations.
This department is in receipt Of ad-
vices from Washington to the effect
that the slogan of all party leaders
in both house and senate is Economy
and Retrenchmcnt," and that it will
require concerted effort on the part of
those interested in the continuance
and extension of road work to OBJ
tain favorable action. Undoubtedly
sincere effort to inaugurate a policy
of economy and retrenchment will
meet with hearty and widespread ap-
proval, but most people will agree
that there is plenty of room for the
exercise of such policy without cut
ting off appropriations which are
vital to the highway improvement
program of every state in the Union.
Means Program Abandonment.
If additional federal aid appropria-
tons are not made at this time, it
will mean that many comprehensive
construction programs must be aban-
doned. and that the people who have
voted for bond issues with the ex.
pectation of receiving cooperative fed
eral funds will become discouraged,
and that the cooperative spirit and
enthusiasm for road construction
which has grown up in the past. few
years will die of inanition.
The principle of federal aid in high.
way construction has been demon
strated to be sound, and that it is
popular and has had the effect of en-
couraging road building is evidenced
by the fact that for each dollar of fed
eral funds made available for cooper
alive work, II is estimated that more
than IS state, county and highway dis
trict funds have been raised for the
same purpose.
If federal aid is not continued
there Is grave danger that the road
programs now formulated will receive
4 setback from which il will require
years to recover. Nearly every COM
munity in Idaho has such program
and has provided funds to apply on
its construction, in whole or in part,
during the next three or four years.
II follows, therefore, that every COM
munity in Idaho is interested in the
continuance and extension of federal
aid.
What Is Needed.
The convention of American As
ISOLATION of State Highway Officials,
held at Louisville, KY December 8
to II, 1919, passed resolutions and
memorials to congress asking for the
following appropriations:
Federal Post Aid: $l00,0OO,O0O per
year for the next four years.
Federal Forest Aid: 100000 per
year for the next four years.
This Is for the construction Of roads
in and adjacent to the national forests.
Federal aid for roads on Indian
reservations and other lands held by
the United States outside of national
forests: N.s00OO0 for year ending
June 30, 1921, and thereafter. $780,
600 per year for five years.
In each case. the first appropriation
would become available July l. 1920.
In order to demonstrate that the
sentiment of the people of the coun-
try is overwhelmingly in favor of
prompt and liberal action. it is re-
quested that every board of county
commissioners, every board of high
way district commissioners. every
city council. every chamber of COM
merce or commercial club: in fact.
every public or semi-publc body. pass
resolutions endorsing the action of
the Louisville convention in asking
congress for federal aid appropria-
tons, and that>copies of such resolu-
tions be forwarded Immediately to
Hon. Burton L. French. Hon. Add
son T. Smith, Hon. W. F. Borah and
Hon. ] F Nugent, and to the .clerks
of house of representatives and the
United States senate A copy for
warded 60 the department of public
works. Boise, Idaho. would also be
appreciated. Letters from private
c:~s-~o. ~.,os,1A >1en hA of v,1,,.