Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-05
SAYS AUTO TAX
SHOULD GO UP
TO AID ROADS
Edy Wants Way to Get Money
to Match Covenant
Aid to State.

With all federal aid finance appro-
prlated for road work in Montana sub
ject to cancellation year by year until
1926, the state virtually without money
to further more construction and the
county bond issues of 1919 practically
exhausted. John n. Edy, chief engineer
Of the Montana state highway com
mission, urged the adoption of some
idea or IDEAS whereby the federal
money can be matched and held in this
state for highway construction before
a meeting Of engineers in the council
chambers of the court house Friday
night.
During his s%tereopticon talk he
strongly urged legislation to levy an
increased motor vehicle annual license
fee. He said the automobile owners
in Montana would have to bear the
bulk Of the expense for road construc-
non for the next five years. No bond
issue or tax on real estate will be i'm
posed upon the people. he said.
Suggests Gasoline Tax
Mr.. Edy suggested a gasoline tax.
which. he argued. would pay the auto
mobile owner in dollars and cents ulti-
mately on the upkeep and running ex-
pense of his machine. At present there
is a cent a gallon tax on gasoline.
The counties. he said, will not be
asked to give further aid to road ex-
pense by the highway commission.
The United States is aiding the
states to the extent of 80 per cent
OF appropriation amounts and the state
must contribute the remaining Al per
Under this condition. 81, 900
of federal aid will go back to the treas
ury unless it can be matched by the
state by June 30. 1923. In a like man
ner, the entire sum of Sc. 800, 900 will
be cancelled from use by the state and
turned over to other states if it can-
not be matched before the time of ex-
Working 100 Projects
Mr.. Edy said there were working at
present, 100 projects of road construc-
ton in the state. He stated that the
Of road work other than concrete
pavement is from $500 TO $4,000 a
mile. depending entirely upon the ex-
of work to be done upon it.
The concrete contracts. he said.
ranged from S37, 900 to S45.OOO a mile !
an 1S-foot width. The contract
let recently on the Laurel road, which
is of concrete, will be $4,000 a mile.
of the excess of work neces-
In draining, grading. etc.
In the { per cent system which is
employed by the state highway com
mission. there are approximately 4.SO0
Of road which are scheduled to be
constructed as soon as It is possible.
Of this total. about $50 miles have
been improved.
He pointed out that the annual pro-
gram of road construction would cost
g. 100000. which would complete 400
This would necessitate 10 years
IF road construction. at that rate. to
fulfill the present I per cent system.
40 Miles of Concrete
OF the 500 miles now completed in
all parts of the state. but 40 miles |
ire built Of concrete. A large part of
his is the highway between Butte and
a distance of 26 miles, 1S
niles Of which has been completed.
This road is IS feet wide and is built
inches in the center and & on the
The road is divided into w
,-foot sections.
There are $50 miles of completed
under state maintenance. This
$ done by patrol work. One man
has a patrol, usually 10 miles long.
which be drags and cares for when
The highway commission. said MI.
has been particularly fortunate
n building fine bridges. The viaduct
ype of concrete structure with two
'olumns is exceptionally favorable.
OF the highways in Cascade county at
present under construction are the
Great Kings Hill road. the Con
'ad- Great Falls road. the Great Falls
1avre road and the Great Falls-Lewis
md Clark county line road.
The escape Of coal gas into the soil
s injurious TO trees and shrubs.