Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-03-02

people of the state Is and has been
that the one they paid by way of
tax under that act would be sufff-
Client to defray the cost Of q COM
plete state highway system.
The information detailed above was
given me by the State Highway De-
partment. / am further informed by
that department as follows:
There are $50 miles Of highways
contemplated in the system. There
are 236 miles of highways either al
ready built, under contract or includ-
ed within the program up to De-
cember first, 1920. The cost of such
roads already built, contracted for OF
contemplated with the 1920 program
added the estimated cost of certain
work on the Perth Amboy bridge.
amounting to $3.50, coo, which Is a to-
tai cost Of S11,sS4,67S.
The total funds available to the
Highway Commission are made up as
follows:
Money collected and to be collected
under the Edge act" up to July LIST,
1922. s15.OOO.0o0, federal aid 49,
265.S44.
Total funds available to July 1st,
1922, $1~S,265,S44. Subtracting from
that figure the amount already ex-
pended, contracted for or contemplat-
ed to be spent in 1920. OF $11,SS4,67S,
leaves a balance Of $6,3S1,166.
There remain to be completed 419
miles Of highways which 1t Is estl-
mated will cost as follows:
.,..,......' SZ5,I40,oOO
Bridges ~lz,VOO,OoV
Total $37.140,0 900
Balance remaining December LIST,
1920. as above. S6.381,166.
Amount required to complete pres
emit system. sS0,73s,854.
A simple computation indicates
that the cost of the Highway system,
Of being s16.ooo,oOOi VIII,
when completed, be approximately.
SAP, 900, 900, or nearly three times as
much as was represented to the peo-
pie when the Edge road act" of 1917
was passed.
What is to be done in view OF the
circumstances Is a matter of grave
The solution or remedy which
I have in mind will be referred to
by me later. after l have discussed
some other matters.
Inter-States Bridge and Tunnel
Tho New Jersey Inter-States Bridge
and Tunnel Commission is about ready
to report. II Is my understanding
that the cost of the proposed tunnel
between New York and New Jersey
will be in the neighborhood Of $685.
$780, 900. l am also of the impression
that the cost of the connecting link
between Pennsylvania n New Jersey
will be about the same, SO that New
Jerseys share OF the cost of these
two improvements will be approx
S28, 600, 900.
The tunnel to New York is of vital
to the people of this state
and It's construction should be begun
at once. 1t cannot be delayed any
than Is absolutely necessary.
the most favorable circum-
stances the work cannot be begun
the spring of 1921, for the rea-
son that in order to raise the money
bonds must be issued and the consent
Of the people to the issue will have
to be obtained at a general election.
1t Is my thought hat the question
should be submitted to the people at
the next election to be held in Nov
ember of this year.
State Institutions
There has been submitted to me
a report of the Department Of Insti-
and Agencies. It is not my
purpose at this time to go into the
matter OF the report except
to say that there is recommended the
Of $4,000, 900 to rehabilitate /
Institutions OF the state and to
necessary extensions and adj
We, therefore, have this sit
ration confronting us:
For completing of the state highway
there will be needed. $40, 000,- |
300. For tho Interstate bride and
$2S, 900. 900. State institu-
ions, S18, 000. 900.
Total, 100000
One of the projects herein discuss |
I'd. viz, the rehabilitation of the state |
Institutions, IS admittedly not self
supporting. The moneys necessary to
the retirement charges and In
upon tho proposed bond issue
viii have to come out Of the state
reasury. The method more lately pur-