The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-08
MAINTE FINANCE IF HIGHWAYS ALREADY COMPILE: [: TED URGED
Federal Government Will Not Countenance Neglect, KeI-
 Ter Warns
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD MOntHOynfry Ala JuIy !

gineer, isued a public statement Sat urday in which he appealed to mem bers of the legislature to make pro- vision during their session beginning July 10 for the speeding up of road work in Alabama and for the main tenance of the roads already con structed.
 MT. Keller said there seems to be an impression among many that the funds with which to construct the roads contemplated in the highway program. He mentioned that the motor vehicle licenses must be used in paying interest on state bonds and in creating a sinking fund for the retirement of the bonds at maturity and that some plan should be worked out whereby the roads can be main tained.
 Must Maintain Roads.
 The federal government will not countenance neglect of roads which have been constructed with federal aid and put the state highway de- partment on notice that failure to maintain roads so constructed will recessitate the withholding of adj tional aid to the state," said MT. Kel- Ter. Just recently this drastic &C., tion was taken in the state of Ar kansas"
 MT. Keller mentioned the campaign gor the placing of the entire gaso- line tax into the hands of counties. He appealed to members of the legis- lature to make a study of the plans which have been used in other states and to determine for themselves
 
 money through the counties or through state department created for the purpose of constructing high ways.
 In concluding his statement, Mir. Keller made the following appeal to the lawmakers: "No mans ambition should stand in the way of success full program of road constructor III our state. It is business promlem pure and simple and should not be made a stepping stone or football for political office. If you have any dls- like for anyone connected with the department from the chairman to the humblest employe, l plead With yop to not allow such to have any weight in determining your attitude toward measures that will affect the depart ment. Without your help in provld- ing sane and satisfactory laws, the roads of the state will suffer.
 o O O
 MT. KelIer's statement.
 MT Kellers statement regarding road construction in Alabama fol- lows:
 Almost daily I am asked what are the prospects for a system Of gooo roads throughout the state Wltnln q reasonable length of time. NOW Juss what Is the answer to that questlon At the present rate of supply or req
 ,1,i inl, ic factor under the plans in force, with inc state highway department al most the only agency now engaged III constructing roads in the state' IL will require ten years to have Well connected system of good roads. Ine next question naturally asked IS what can be done to speed up the V, nrlr This can be answered with one word. funds How can aodl- tional funds be secured? To answer this intelligently it is necessary to reneat some of the bond campaign data. a srb- nitted for the approval or the peopie ,,,os to secure annually, by the sale W bonds sufficient funds to match frnds allotted to Alabama by Iie federal government, which was estl- ,,oated would be approximately two million dollars a year. A taple was nrenared showing that by selllns the Bonds in annual lots of approxlmate lv two millions dollars IL "ouiu ue noseihle to use solely the revenue 95o,,ived from the sale of motor Ve- bicle licenses for creation of sink- ire fund for retirement of bonds' TOT nayment of interest on bonds. TOT Y, p,,ointenance of roads constructed ana the maintenance of the department Sources Of Revenue.
 "At present, the revenue derived hv inc state from the tax or motor vehicles is, in round figures, si'ooo, oo0 and $6,O00,OOo worth of bonds have been sold. The first series or bonds sold s3,000,ooo Series A VIII run over an average perloo or doo lHn years and the second series of S3,0oo'- 00O Series "B') will run over an average period of 22h years. In or der to retire these bonds at maturity there must be set aside annually ap- $421,000 Annual interest will amount to $135,00o; maintenance of roads constructed will amount next year to s3oo'ooo. ms onS sS56, 900, leaving balance of $154,ooo for the maintenance of the state highway department.
 "There are two contingencies that may materially augment this 1uho.' One is the passage Of a oiii no" pending in the legislature allowing the state treasurer to loan 10 the banks the sinking fund ana the otner is the likelihood of increase Tn re- ceipts from motor vehicle licenses. We should bear in mind. however, that more bonds are to be sold ana such increase in receipts are. tnere- fore, anticipated to care for addl- tional issues
 uI., C.IIad ErrOueOua.
 .There seems to be an impression prevailing among some members or the legislature that the highway ue. partment has ample funds to meet all obligations and maintain very large mileage of roads. A little study Will convince them of their mistake. There is an insistant demand being made for the state highway depart ment to take over roads, heretofore constructed by counties. and forever maintain them. The department treads on thin ice over deep water when 1t pbligates itself to any great extent along this line. The sinking fund and as a sacred trust. made mandatory by the constitution and to invade them is suicidal to the state.
 The federal government will not countenance neglect of roads which have been constructed with federal aid and put the highway department Dn notice that failure to maintain roads so constructed will necessitate The withholding of additional aid to. the state. Just recently. this drastic action has been taken in the state of Arkansas.
 The systematic maintenance of state roads, although in effect It- tie more than a year, has occasioned very favorable comment and :ne de-