The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-03-04
Assembly May Not Arrange for
Raising Funds, According to
Present Plans.
MORAY MAY MAKE CHANGES
Governor Likely to Revise Personnel
of State Commission After the
General Assembly Ceases
Its Work.


Back of this statement Of prObabili-
~, which may be made with consider
able certainty, lies story of probable
changes in the state highway commits
sion by Governor McCray after the
Legislature has adjourned. The state
board of tax commissioners will be
called on to fix highway levy after
the legislature adjourns, according to
present plans.
The probability that the legislature
will not be asked to fix a highway
levy comes as a distinct change in the
state highway situation, as far as
state roads are concerned. Previous
programs were greatly affected and
In some instances entirely set aside
when the state board of accounts made
public its report on its investigation
Of the state highway department.
Previous plans had contemplated the
fixing of Il state highway levy, with
special features stressing the mainte-
nance of the roads already constructed
by the commission. The present plans
large way, but contemplate new
method of raising money.
The new program is contingent on
what is finally to be done with tie
state highway commission, and 1t is
generally understood among members
of the house. who are deeply inter-
ested in the highway situation, that
no definite plans have been laid con-
corning the commission and that no
action will be taken with respect TO
the commission until after adjourn
ment of the legislature. Governor
McCray has announced, and thus far
adhered 10 the policy of making no
changes in the heads of departments
or i'm other offices until after the leg
islature adj0urns.
Members of the house have pointed
out that, if there are changes in the
state highway commission or its adj
ministration, new program for con-
struction and maintenance of state
roads probably will be formulated. 1t
is said that any new members of the
commission undoubtedly would wish
To lay out their own program. To get
the best results, it is believed. they
should be permitted to do so in ac-
cOrdance with their own ideas or with
those of Governor McCray, who has
taken particular interest in the road
situation. In his message 10 the legis-
lature he emphasized the necessity for
the proper maintenance of roads. rath-
er than on new construction.
If new road program is TO be
adopted through the highway depart
ment, house members say it is i'm
possible 10 anticipate at this time how
much money would be needed to carry
out the program. 1t would be impos-
sible 10 tell now or before the legis-
lature adjourns how many miles of
new roads would be improved or how
much money would be needed for
maintenance. The only amount on
which definite information is available
is the sum the state should apprOpri-
ate 10 match federal aid money. Bills
are pending, however, before the ma
tional congress which might change
this amount. The only fixed amount
which the state highway commission
will have available for the next two
years is the amount which will be re-
ceived from the registration of auto
mobiles These two amounts are in
sufficient for use as n basis in figuring
out at this time what the state levy
should be. house members say. For
these reasons. they point out, ii would
be inadvisable for the legislature to
attempt TO fix levy.
The administration tax measure
opens the way for the legislature TO
avoid fixing state highway levy. The
provisions of this measure. which
seems certain of passage. would per-
nit the state board of tax commits
sionerS, with the approval of the gov
ernOr and the auditor of state. 10 fix
Ievies on which the legislature takes
no action With this provision in the
law. the failure of the legislature TO
fix the state highway levy would not
preclude the raising OF money for state
road construction and maintenance.
The road situation was somewhat
clarified when the house voted TO Kill
the Knapp bill. which provided that
money derived from the registration of
automobiles be sent back 10 the va
riouS counties ON a basis of the Inn
proved road mileage and the amounts
received from the counties.
o. KS Riley Memorial Hospital Plan.
4 favorable report of the ways and
means committee on the house bill
To establish n Riley memorial hospital
for children i'm Indianapolis was adopted
hv the house. AS amended by the com
mittee. the bill apprOpriateS S12o,OOO
instead OF S25OOOO for construction,
anu $4,000 annually for maintenance
instead of $4,000. The committee
reported the bill favorably. with the
understanding that the Riley Memorial
association will raise an amount equal
10 the appropriation for construction
d. hts