Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1921-10-07
SENATOR WILLIAMS PLAN.
State House, Baton Rouge, La,
September "a, 1921.

Senate Bill Number 25 by MI
Williamson offers to the people o
Louisiana a. simple, plain and busi
ness like solution of the much dis
cussed question Of State Highways
This bill proposes to place the con
struction and maintenance of high
ways entirely under the Board o.
State Engineers. This Board is com
posed of high class and experienced
engineers who have always kept
clear of political influences, and il
whose hands the lives of thousand'
of our best citizens have been en-
trusted, who are protected from
floods by the great levee system Of
our State.
Instead Of creating a new depart
ment, with commissioners and Other
officers drawing large salaries, with
added overhead expenses running in.
to thousands Of dollars annually,
this bill proposes to abolish the pres
ent office of State Highway Engineer
and require the Board of State En-
gineers to handle the entire work
of constructing and maintaining
Highways, without one dollars in
crease in salaries or any added ex-
pense to the State whatever.
A Highway Advisory Commission"
is created by the Act, to be COM
posed of the Governor, Secretary of
State and Commissioner of Agricul-
ture and immigration. The Governor
because Of the responsibility which
attaches to his office for the success
full administration of all departs
ments Of government, from the stand
point of economy and efficiency; the
Secretary of State because it is con-
templated that through his office
will be collected the greater part of
the State Highway fund, and he
should be more capable than any
other officer of anticipating in ad-
vance the States ability to contri-
butte to highway construction; the
Commissioner of Agriculture and
immigration, because highways are
constructed primarily to develop the
Agricultural interest Of the State
and his intimate knowledge of the
States need and possibilities in this
respect should eminently fit him to
advise intelligently concerning the
legitimate requirements Of every
community in highway construction
and improvements.
The Board Of Engineers can only
undertake such works as are approved
by the Highway Advisory Commission
and can make no expenditure from
the general highway fund except
upon authority specifically granted
by the Commission. Every warrant
drawn upon the fund must be for
a specific purpose, within the limi-
tations fixed by the Advisory Com
mission, and accurate account is re-
quired to be kept Of every charge
or expenditure for which each war
rant is drawn. No blanket warrants
on the Treasury for general ex-
penses will be permitted.
The order in which the construc-
tion Of various sections of the pro-
posed highways shall proceed will be
determined by the Advisory Com
mission, and likewise the credit to
be given parishes and local subdi-
visions for State highways which
they have constructed or may here
after construct at local expense.
Parishes and local subdivisions will
be required to contribute one-half
Of the cost Of State Highways within
their territorial limits, being entitled
to credit for what they have con-
structed at their own expense, ex-
cept that bridges across navigable
streams shall be built solely at State
expense; and where, in the opinion
of the Highway Commission, great
necessity exists for completion Of a
highway where local funds to aid
therein are not available and cannot
reasonably be expected, such work
may be done entirely at State ex-
pense.
Ample provision is made for CO.
operation with the Federal Gov
ernment to secure aid in the con-
struction of the Highway System;
and for an accurate accounting Of
expenditures and contributions by
local subdivisions in order that prop.
er remunerations may be made when
the State Highway System is com.
pleted.
The plan contemplates State High.
ways to connect the Parish seat OF
each parish with that of each adjoin.
ing parish, commercial, shipping and
seaport centers, and important inter
state thoroughfares; and requires
that contracts be let in the parishes
where the work is to be done.
By
N. C.. WILLIAMSON,
Senator 2Sth District
H. B. WARREN,
Senator 25th District