The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-11-16
Money for Highways
Federal Funds Available For
Connected State Systems.
South Cardinals Quota
S1,061,000

Washington. Nov. 3.-Twenty-
five million dollars is Immediately
available for the continuation OF
goodaroads projects in the several
states of the union. January i, the
remaining $4,000, ,000 Of the $7'.-
100000 appropriation carried IN the
bin recently signed by the presl-
dent will be available.
This money will be prorated
among the several states OF the
union, but must be matched, dollar
for dollar, by the state approprla-
tions. Texas, because Of its extern
sive territory, will receive larger
share than any other states, $4,-
425,1I2.4l. New York follows
with s3,6s6,44797. Then comes
Pennsylvania with $3,39S,953.97,
and Ohio with S2,S23,004.05.
The majority Of the states re-
ceive between s1.000,000 and 81
600, 900, examples following: Ala
bama, s1,553,420.67; Georgia, ST.
997,957.5S; Mississippi, $l,294,-
s06.22; North Carolina. S1,709,333.-
90; South Carolina, $1,061, 1,237.34;
Florida, $SS6,S25.G9.
The new funds are received just
in time, as projects in several states
were about to be abandoned for
lack Of appropriations. Since 1916
when Representatives Byrnls OF
South Carolina, Lee of Georgia,
Shackelford Of Missouri and other
members of the house conferred
and introduced bill, which WIS
supplanted by the Senator Bank
head bill in the senate, the govern
ment has appropriated $215,000,-
600 as federal aid to roads. OF that
amount, s199, ,S23,427 has been put
to work in projects, which are COM
pleted or in course Of completion.
To match that amount, the states
have appropriated s265,529,090 for
a total Of $465.352,517.
The ros,i to be paid for 10y this
money would encircle the earth and
extend from San Francisco to New
York on the second lap, the total
mileage unde. construction and
completed being $1,000. OF this
mileage 1856 is in projects COM
pleted. The balance Of 17,445 is in
projects still under construction but
which are CO per cent completed.
The average cost per mile of federal
aid roads has been between ST.
600 and $4,000.
1t is estimated by engineers of
the department Of agriculture that
federal aid roads under construc-
tion October q were giving en-
pioyment to about 250,000 men
either directly on actual road con-
struction, or indirectly IN the pro-
duction and transportation OF ma
terial.
The new act will, it is estimated,
keep this quarter of million men
at weak, and thereby prevent more
serious aspects Of the unemploy-
ment situation. The new act fol-
lows the old in that it will be ad-
ministered by the secretary OF ag-
riculture. Apportionment Of the
fund is divided into three parts, one
apportioned according to popula-
ton, one according to area, and one
I. according TO mileage of rural and
star mail routes.
A new feature is the stipulation
that no state shall receive less than
one-half Of one per cent. Of the to-
tai fund. This will increase the
share Of four states, Delaware, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Yer.
mont
A notable change requires each
state to select connected road
system not exceeding Z per cent. OF
it's road mileage for improvement
by federal aid. This system will
be divided into two classes, one OF
which will be known as interstate
highways and the other as inter
county highways. The interstate
highways must not exceed three
sevenths Of the system selected.
All highways in the interstate
system must have a surfaced width
Of Ut least Is feet. In case a fed
eral aid highway is not properly
maintained by state, the state will
be given 80 days notice by the
department. At the end of that
period if the highway is not in good
condition Of maintenance, the sec
retary of agriculture will maintain
it out Of the states allotment and
refuse to approve any new pro-
iects until reimbursement is made