The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-11-12

Federal Aid Highway Act. just passed
by Congress. is especially favorable
to this and other public land States.
the people of Nevada would do well
to bear in mind that under its provi-
sions the Federal government pro-
poses to exercise wen greater discre-
ton as to where and how the funds
allotted by the Federal treasury are
to be expended within the States, and
furthermore. that the law does
not apportion money to Nevada In
any greater amount or proportion
than formerly.
1t is time to correct several very
erroneous conceptions as to the ma
ture Of the bill.
1t does not provide for the con-
struction Of transcontinental high
ways across the State of Nevada by
the Federal government.
The present law, which carries an
appropriation of $75.OOO.O0o will
not allot to- the State of Nevada any
more money than previous appropria-
tons of similar amount.
The basis upon which the Federal
funds are allotted to the States re-
main the same as it did before. The
present appropriation bill differs
from others in that Nevada and 9TH
or public land States will be required
to advance less State" money than
heretofore, to obtain their share Of
the Federal appropriation.
Furthermore, the idea prevalent in
some communities, that under the
new law they can obtain Federal
funds, in unlimited amount, by max
ing very small advances themselves.
is an illusion. 1t can't be done, for
the simple reason that the Nevada
Department Of Highways, which will
largely control the apportionment Of
Federal funds within this State. will
be compelled to adopt a fixed basis
for allotment in order that no COM
munity shall enjoy advantages great
or than others, and to insure that the
Federal funds will be expended with
proper regard for commerce, trans
continental travel, population and
taxable wealth.
The allotment of Federal highway
aid to the various States is still con-
trolled by the original bill passed by
Congress about six years ago. That
law directs the Secretary of Agricul-
ture to allot any appropriation made
to the various States in the proper
ton that their population. area and
postroad mileage shall bear to the
total of each factor for the entire
United States. Under this law Ne
vada receives slightly less than one
se~venty-ffth of any Federal highway
appropriation made. and this proper
ton is not changed by the new High
way appropriation made, and this
is not changed by the new Highway
Act. OF the $4,000, 900 appropriat-
ed Nevada will receive about $685.
900 and no more.
1t is very clear that Congress is de-
termined to allot no more aid for
State road construction unless the
roads built are thereafter properly
maintained by the State. A provision
to this effect is contained within the
appropriation bill just enacted, and
in case any State fails to properly
maintain roads built with Federal aid
the Secretary of Agriculture is direct
ed to repair such roads and charge
the cost to the Federal funds allotted
to the delinquent State.
The people of Nevada have real
reason to rejoice over the passage
of the bill. While 1t does not increase
the amount Of money allotted to Ne
vada it will diminish the amount re-
CURED from her taxpayers to obtain
her share of Federal highway appro-
priations, the matching of which with
State funds. was rapidly becoming a
burden and a serious State problem.
Unfortunate China, in need Of pro-
lection from Japan as a fat goose