The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-11-30
BOARDS BALK ON
HASTY ACTION
Racine and Kenosha Coun-
ty Boards Hesitate on
Road Program.
THEY WANT MORE TIME

Refusing to take snap judgment on
the various propositions submitted by
the state highway department for road
development in Kenosha and Racine
counties, the boards of supervisors of
these two counties in joint session at
Racine on Thursday afternoon heard
the suggestions made by state high
way engineers and after discussing
these proposals, baked on taking an
immediate vote on any Of the PROPOSE
tions. When the discussion had reach
ed a point for action, the state. high
way engineers suggested that formal
votes on the various projects be taken
at the Thursday afternoon meeting.
One of the members of the Racine
board rose Immediately and asked that
further time be taken to consider the
projects and that the boards be al
lowed to discuss the propositions at
their leisure. The Kenosha County
Board followed suit and no definite &C
ton on the projects was taken.
Hear Highway Engineers.
Engineers from the state highway
commission appeared before the board
as we'll as representatives of the Wis
Econsin County Boards association.
One of the big points under discus
sion was whether there should be any
change in the allotment of the taxes
received from automobiles, which has
heretofore gone to-the cities largely.
The new proposal would divert most of
this fund so that it would be used for
the construction of highways. The
engineer explained this point, show
ing that the reports that the cities
would lose heavily by this, had been
exaggerated.
The eight propositions on which the
boards were asked to show their stand
and on which they deferred action
until further discussion, are briefly
as follows::
Proposals Are Outlined.
1. Proposing the addition, of $500
miles to the state trunk highway sys-
tenn, commencing in 1924 this addi-
ton to relieve the counties of the
maintenance of $500 miles of their
most important roads.
2. Proposes the saving of federal
aid funds now available for Wiscon-
sin and those hereafter to be made
available so that Wisconsin may re-
ceive back its proper share of the funds.
8. Proposes payment by the state
of all except the federal governments
share of the cost of federal aid con-
struction, relieving the counties of
having the One-third share of such
construction.
4. Proposes if counties are relieved
of paying any part of the federal aid
construction, a distribution of the
Joint federal and state construction
funds, not on a county basis, but in a
manner fair to all sections of the
state, so that the principal lines of
travel may be completely surfaced.
5. Proposes the payment of re-
fund in the form of a maintenance
bonus by the state to the counties that
have already bonded and pushed the
construction of high typed roads.
s. Favors the continuation of the
present highway program as outlined
by the legislative committee. Suggests
a plan Cudt paw VI CHc SApSHSS
should be lifted from the general
property and imposed more largely up
on users of the road, urging that mon
ey be raised by combination of:
(a) A graduated license fee on
motor vehicles based on the
weight.
(b) A two per cent valuation
tax imposed alike on all motor
vehicles throughout the state.
(c) A two cent per gallon tax =
upon the gasoline consumed in
motor vehicles travelling over the
highways.
z. Favors longer terms for mem
bers of the county road and bridge
committees.
8. Suggests better coordination of
highway work between the units of
government paying part of the cost
of road construction.
Board Adjourned Today
There was no action by either
board in opposition to the program
outlined, but both boards were con-
WINGED that they desired time to dis
cuss the projects at length. Members
of the state legislature from Kenosha
and Racine counties were present at