Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-23
HOUSE

HOUSE
nv, thursday, February %. 1898
me House met according to adj
~. r,nenl ana was called to order by
Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Perry Of
journal of previous session read
ana approved. e"u
on motion by Mr.. McIlheron of
Lewiston the House voted to stani
one minute with bowed heads and in
siience out OF respect to the memory
OF George Washington. '''O :
Aheleupon the members of the
house, and officers, stood for one
moment in silent meditation
communications from the Governor
STATE OF MAINE,
Office of the Governor
,, February %, 1923
10 the Honorable Senate and House
of Representatives of the Slst
| Legislature:
IN my Inaugural Address 1 called
attention to the present complicated
system of jhe States highway pro-
gram and suggested its simplillca-
tlon. L have given the matter care
lul study and believe. that the plan
submitted herewith, il adopted,
| would do away with much of the
confusion that now exists in the
minds of the public in connection
with the raising and expenditure of
the money used by our State High
way Commission.
In the tables submitted herewith,
based on the year 1922 and on such
| figures us we have for 1928. | have
shown. the amount of money avail
able, first, for construction, giving
the different classes of roads now
constructed in whole or in part by
money raised by the State: second,
for maintenance, showing the sources
! from which it is derived: and third.
! for necessary overhead expenses,
comprising state Highway Commits
sion administration, Secretary of
| State for registration and licenses,
and motor vehicle enforcement divi-
sion.
. 1t appears from these tables that
our present laws will provide total
of $4.13R211.23 Tor the calendar year
/ of 1923 to be spent by the State
Highway Commission for the various
branches of State road work. If Il
easolene tax of one cent per gallon
is passed by this Legislature it is
| estimated it will produce an addi-
tional revenue of 100000 This
" Guild give n total of $4.437.211.23 OF
State money available for all road
purposes.
am accompanying this message
with a plan as to how this money in
| my opinion properly could be appor-
toned, and in doing this have had in
mind the special needs OF the So
called third class roads. This plan
calls for the expenditure of $3.50
600 for all branches of the State
road work.
In order to simplify our account.
! ing methods | suggest the creation OF
a state road fund into which wouid
be paid all the fees received from
the1 licensing of automobile drivers
ard the registration OF automooiieS'
| the proceeds of the road mill tax.
| The proceeds of the gasolene tax ana
! the regular appropriation now mace
for road purposes. l suggest that an
the concentrations passed by TINS
legislature for road construction
maintenance and overhead expenses
be fixed as definite sums so all our
citizens will understand the hSufes.
As the valuation of the state III
creases. and as the number or auto
mobiles licensed increases. doup'ieso
additional revenue Will come lnto my
state Treasury, and l suggest tilat
everything over ana apo's he
definite sums herein PROVIDED LOT NC
cxnanded bv the State Highway com ,
m;sslon in the Improvement OF thiru
Lass roads. This would provide an
ever increasing amount Tor tilis eia''
IN nv opinion the second class or
site Aid. road money should ne
snent nv the State in the following
order of preference: first. TO meet
| tho reouire,nents Of towns under tne
~erer1l state Aid law second 10
uroyide fot the towns tnnt come ui'
der the 5 Times Law: ana thlfu. 70
| meet the requirements OF the VOW hH
| under the 3 Towns Act. In iacl l
! believe it would be fairer TO all con-
| cerned to repeal the Times Law
and the 3 Towns Act. rms howeH.l
,.osts in the discretion Of the Lesls-
+. lature. 49,, o,,osed
| ,,o,,. honn issue to supplement the
| s1o oOn 600 issue already authorised
If his IS adopted l would limit 1t 70
a, iss,ie Of $1,000. 600 and would use
- m complete the State Highway
svsten, during the calendar years
1ao5 and 1926, l hesitate to recon :
mend the issuing of additional poh1s'
for | do not want the state to oe
oyerburdened with interest charges
! hut additional bonds are propaply
necessary if the state is to continue
to receive Federal Aid for roads. and
some provision should be mace e., 10
meet the Federal requirements Tor
Inc ycars in question. If new bonds
ore issued they should be used only
to match Federal a; aid ana tvs nns GG,o
ti6nal amendment All bonds should
he serial and provision should be
made that they cannot be reissueo
! after maturity. ,4u.
A careful study Of the details
herein will enable the members OF
the Legislature to see at a glance ee
where the states road money comes
from what is now done with it. ana
What can be done with it in the The fm :
ture. 4 dccidea advantage vii! re-
sult in having clean cut approprla
fions for each and every item OF the
states road program and all uncer-