Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1921-02-17
Gouernor in Special Message
to Legislature Urges Idaho
Road Program be Continued

In a special message to the six
teenth state legislature, Governor
Davis urges the continuance Of
the road program, the imme-
mediate sale of the two million dol
ar bond issue, voted at the last cleo
ton, the merger of the duties of the
department of commerce and indus
try with the department of finance,
the continuance of the state police and
opposes the adjustment of the public
utilities commission. He recommends
60 percent of the money be used on
state highways in the various cOun-
ties, in proportion to the amount con
tributed by each county in 1920, and
40 percent to be used in neutral zones
TEXT OF MESSAGE
The message in part follows:
"There is no problem more vital
to the people of any state in its rela-
ton to broad development than that
of an adequate system of highways.
Idaho has made splendid record
during the last two years in the build
ing and planning of a network of state
roads, which will directly or indirect
ly touch and benefit every part of the
state The department of public
works has in less than two years COM
pleted a program that would ordi-
narily takes a. much longer time.
Idaho's engineering and project plans
have been characterized by the bureau
of roads of the U. S. depart
ment of agriculture as among the best
in the United States. The record
made for construction is worthy OF
high commentator. During the eight
teen months period just ended, S64.5g
miles of permanent and semi-perma-
nent roads have been built. Records
on file show that Idaho has let con
tracts as low and in many cases at
lower price than adjoining states.
cit is only natural that so large
program calls forth q diversity of
ideas as to proper methods of con-
struction and financing, and that
some misunderstanding should exist
regarding the amount of federal aid
allotted to Idaho by the bureau of
public roads. The exact sum to be al
Iotted for the 5-year period was
So. 36O, 1856. There remains $685.
673.73 federal aid, which has not been
allotted to projects. Agreements are
now in course of preparation, how
ever, for approximately $l5O,OOo to
take care of over-runs and additional
requirements, and the balance is held
in reserve to meet like conditions.
REPEAL OF DIRECT LEVY
OfThe repeal of the 2-mill direct
highway levy, which was amply JUS
tilted by existing conditions, makes IL
necessary to devise new plans to IL
nance this important work. The pro
ceeds of the two million dollar high
wav bond sue can be used only Tor
the LAYING out and construction OF
state highways. Heretofore the de-
partment of public works has been
hammered because the entire esti-
mated revenues from the proceeds OF
the 2-mill levy were definitely al
Iotted by the legislature for construc-
tion of specific highways IN each
county of the state, leaving nothing
for other necessary and unavoidable
charges. In order that operations
NAV be economically and eftlclentiy
conducted and an adequate roac
building program continued. approx
matelv one million six hundred thou
sand dollars is required for the Iol-
lowing items: 1000
Boise headquarters, $25,OOO.
Return of expenditures on acouf
of federal equipment $220,o0o-
Overhead, $4,000. o,o
Additional maintenance funds, $2lo'-
Reimbursements to counties, $685.
O0O