The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-03-26
FEDERAL EN- G| \ EER At
WILSON CON SUI TIN c
COUNTY COMM ISS|ONEAS

Wilson, March 2j.-Ernest ). Alder
man, L. 5. senior highway engineer,
with offices at Oklahoma City, was in
the city Saturday.
The purpose Of his visit was to
consult with Commissioner Joe II. Tay-
lor in regard to the roads and mileage
in this county that are to be improy-
ed under the Federal Aid Road Fund.
Mir. Alderman stated that there was
1913 10000 available from the govern
ment for this purpose and that all
that was necessary Ia secura it was for
the county commissioners 10 pu. up
like sum-in other words, meet the
government half way by putting up
dollar for dollar, and make applica-
ton to the state highway department
for the amount; that six million three
hundred thousand dollars hal Leen
apportioned 10 the state Of oklahoma
by the government and tha- only
$500 10000 had been taken Dy the var
ious counties of the state.
There is, however, only three months
left in which the commissioners can
take advantage of this offer and it be-
hooves the commissioners 10 take hasty
action if they mean to get the benz
fit Of the offer and secure good roads
for Carter county. The commissioners
do not attend to the spending of the
money, however, as the government
will have u man on the ground at the
time the work starts, whose duty t
is to see that the work is done ac.
cording to specifications and rushed
through to completion with all possible
dispatch.
This Federal Aid Road Fund has
been available to the entire state of
Oklahoma since July II, 1918, at which
time It was provided by congress. Fail
ure to understand the proposition has
largely been the cause Of advantage
not being taken of it long before now
but recent applications for a share
of the states apportionment show an
awakening interest in the matter.
Mr.. Alderman stated that the north
ern and northeastern counties of the
state were fast taking advantage of
the wonderful opportunity thus af
forded by this fund and We're secur.
inrr unn1 barl s,irfaoa and t,aoodo n ~,
roads.
In 1915, both Hewitt township and
Carter county voted $320,OOO.OO in
road bonds All of this amount has
been spent and the roads are still
far from being in the condition that
they should be.
OF the total Of $3.50 GOO which has
been apportioned to oklahoma. only
100000 has been definitely taken up
by projects which have received the
approval of government engineers in
Washington. Projects now pending
amount to $3.139 600. OF the total ap-
portionmeut there yet remains S4.l10,-
900. Unless taken by July 1st of the
present year, this amount will lapse
unless it is taken up during the inter
vening time by approved projects
There is an additional $3.50 900 that
will not lapse in July, but will be
available FOR distribution during the
next fiscal year.
That this act provides each county
with sums equal to those that are
appropriated by the county when the
offer is taken advantage of, such is
not the case, Mr.. Alderman said while
here. The act provides for joint con.
struction by federal and local funds
and places a limit of fifty per cent
upon the amount Of aid which may
be given by the government.
Oklahoma is forty.second In the
number of states which have taken ad.
vantage of the terms Of this act. II is
also thirtysthird in the number of
projects submitted to the federal en-.
gineers for consideration. and twenty.
eighth in the number Of projects an
proved. Oklahoma has received eight.
tenths Of one per cent Of the amount
apportloned to 1t for this purpose.