The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-01-13
MESSAGE
TO LEGISLATURE
Continued from FIRST page)

- o. 81" eDNh
ingly large number OK automobiles in
the income from that source
is very large and by capitalizing it
they are able to enter into a very com
prehensive program Of hardsurfaced
road building.
But from such data as / am able to
acquire in reference to the state of
South Dakota, the income from a spe-
cial automobile tax, used exclusively
for a state building program, could
not be capitalized to an amount that
would be sufficient TO permit the state
to engage in a comprehensive hard
surfaced road program, and TO enter
into such a program would entail a
burden Of taxation that would be al
most nendurable.
Opposes Hard Roads Yet
Therefore ii would seem to be the
dictate of sound business judgement
that South Dakota continue with the
present roadbuilding program, build
ing dirt roads, constructing bridges
and doing a limited amount of gravel
ing, in order that there may be
brought to the state as great advan-
tages for all sections as may be posi-
BILE with the means which we have at
our command, and that the present
system of highway construction be
continued. In the meantime, we are
laying the foundation for hard surfac-
ing in the future.
From present indications we may
safely assume that congress will con-
tinttn itC nrnuraf0r nf fa1nral old and
in that event it should be the policy
of the state to raise funds TO meet fed
eral appropriations.
Upon investigation | find that the
state has practically enough money
left from the sale of bonds together
with the money to be received from
the federal government, to maintain
the present program of road building
for two years, but if the system is to
be perpetuated, it is necessary to de-
rive new way and means Of raising
money. It would hardly seem wise at
this time to increase our bond issue
or levy by direct taxation any unusual
amount.
Asks New Auto Tax
Therefore | would suggest that you
carefully consider the ACCESSIBILITY and
feasibility of following the example OF
other states and devising a new sys-
tenn of taxing Automobiles and of plac-
ing the total amount of that tax in a
fund, the larger part of which should
be used by the state highway commits
sion to continue the present program
While it is true that the present funds
will not be entirely exhausted for a
period of two years, yet il is necessary
that action be taken at this time tC
devise new methods of revenue. fol
the reason that If the road program is
assurance must be had in advance, as
it requires on an average a year o.
preparation in the way of SURVEYING
and of drawing plans and specifica
tons before actual construction begins
and an interruption Of the work would
involve additional expense in the wal
Of maintaining the present organiza
ton or it would necessitate the dis
banding of some so hat in either even.
it would be costly.
Must Keep Up Roads We Have
wish also at this time to emphasiz,
as strongly as words can emphasize
the importance of perfecting an effec
tive system of maintenance of roads
already built. The consensus of opin
ion of the best engineers and ables
road builders of the country is tina
the factor of maintenance is just az
important as the original building o
the road and unless we devise a plan
which will effectively carry out a mair
~tehGnce program and see to ii tina
it is properly enforced, millions OF dol
lars will be waster.
I Our highway department has beer
organized for approximately two year!
and II has accomplished very deinit,
results. It has entered into a compre
honsive program and unquestionably
has acquired experience that is valu
able. | would suggest to the legisla
tUre hat you review the work of the
highway commission and that ,yo,
draw freely or their experience by
consulting and advising them.
II is evident that in the near future
the cost of road building will mater
tally decrease. The people of South
Dakota need and desire good roads
and il is duty to provide for theii
construction, taking into consideration
1t all times their cost; to utilize plans
That will give to the state the greatest
value for the money invested, and tc
see to it that each dollar invested
bring lasting and permanent benefit
70 the state.
Bank Guarantee Act
The bank guarantee act was pioneer
legislation in the state of South Dako.
ia. It has been subjected to a severe
strain and thus far has weathered sue
cessfully the storm Of a great crisis
The underlying principal of the act
was to protect bank depositors.
The authors of the bill had in mind
two distinct factors in the protection
of deposits: First, the creation OF a
.clGite reserve in case Of a loss. The
second factor is an outgrowth of the
first, namely. the creation of confid-
ence in banks which. is a strong, sus-
tanning influence in time of financial
depression, keeping in banks thou
sands of dollars which would other
wise seek secret hiding places. The
second factor, largely of psychological
nature, exerts powerful influence by