The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1921-11-11
FUND TO
AID STATE ROADS
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE HAS
MEASURE WHICH 1T EXPECTS
TO PASS

state Highway Commission Can
Match Amounts, in Which Event
This state Will Greatly Benefit
Under Proposed Law.
Funds making possible the en-
ployment of from 100000 to $4,000
men for one road building season are
appropriated by the federal highway
bill at present in conference and ex-
pected to pass congress within the
next few days.
The bill. agreed upon by the con-
ferees, carries a $75.O00.O0O appro-
priation. of which S25,0O0,0OO is to
be available for distribution among
the states as federal aid in road con-
struction when the bill becomes law
| and $50.000,00O six months later.
/ In addition, $5,OOO,00O is to be i'm
mediately available for national for
lest roads and s10,0O0.0OO more on
| July l, 1922.
Shares Heavily in This
The federal aid appropriation
will be distributed and administered
under the supervision of the bureau
of public roads. United States depart
| ment of agriculture. In continuing
the operation of the plan the govern
| ment is taking a step that should
have far-reaching effect in reliev-
ing the present unemployment situa-
ton and in some states it will make
possible the continued employment
of men who otherwise would be out
of work and thus swell the ranks of
the idle
State Must Match 1t
This federal money is to be match
ed by funds under the direct control
of the state highway department.
When so matched and in many
cases the states have taken action and
are simply waiting the availability of
the government appropriation-it is
estimated that it will make possible
road work which will give employ
ment to from 100000 to 100000 men
for six months, distributed over the
period required to spend the money.
This estimate of employment in
cludes on actual construction and in
addition men employed in producing
and hauling materials.
Counties Are Out
To get the benefit of federal road
building funds each state must ap-
propriate at least as much moneyAas
allotted to it by the federal govern
ment, with the exception of a few
states having unoccupied public land
to the extent of more than per cent
of the states area. In these cases
the states share is reduced. The
states share must be under the dir
ect and sole control of the state gov
eminent. No money controlled in
can be used to match federal funds.
Provision also must be made for the
maintenance of all roads built in par
ticipation with federal aid, by the
state government.
Change System
Some states have not had state
controlled funds heretofore and have
been matching federal aid money
under the previous law by using
county or local funds derived from
bond issues or the proceeds of auto
mobile taxes. The new law will pro-
vide that If this practice is continued
the local funds must be placed under |
the control of the state, subject to |
no withdrawal. In most states, how
ever, the question has been agitated
raising state controlled funds for
road building. In view of the need
for good roads, the unemployment
situation and the fact that a states
allotment will be apportioned among
other states if the provisions of the
act are not complied with in three
years, immediate legislative action
would seem desirable in all the states
which have not complied with the re-
quirements of the new measure gov
erning federal aid.
Action Necessary
The effect on the unemployment
situation will not be delayed, how
ever. until legislative action is taken
in all states. Thirteen states have
reported to the department that their
highway work is being delayed be-
cause they have exhausted previous
allotments of federal aid, or that
they are holding work planned in
ton. Other states are preparing en-
larged programs of road construc-
ton.
Some Get Busy
In virtually all cases these are the
most populous states which receive
large allotments and already have
taken legislative action necessary to
meet the requirements of the federal
highway measure. These states are
simply awaiting final adoption of the
conference report by congress and the
presidents signature to the measure
to begin the use of their allotment.
1t is a fortunate condition that the
states with the largest allotments,
and which can proceed at once with
road construction, are the states in
which unemployment conditions are