The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-12-23
While Highway Contractor,
Need Pay for Work, Fed
eral Treasury Waits for
Nebraska Vouchers.
BY p. c. POWELL.
Washington Correspondent The Omaha Bee.


S362,211.65 in the federal treasury
ready to pay road contractors in Ne
braska for completed road work
which already has been approved by
federal engineers In Nebraska.
There is only one obstacle IN the
way. That Is failure of the state de-
partment OF roads in Nebraska to send
in vouchers for this money. In. fact,
the federal department of roads sug-
gested TO Governor Bryan at one time
that much trouble could be averted
II the state road department would
expedite sending in vouchers for road
work which has been completed and
approved by federal engineers.
Vouchers Not Sent In.
The federal government cannot paw
contractors directly. Under the law
the state enters into the contract for
federal aid work. the contract being
approved by federal engineers. Then
when the work is completed II Is in
spected by federal aid engineers and
il It is approved payment OF the gov
ernment's share Is made directly TO
the state, as soon as the state de-
partment sends in vouchers for pay
ment. Unvouchered completed work
represents the 1852 .21l.s5 on hand in
the federal treasury IN Washington
The state makes the payment to con-
tractors.
Figures at the federal good roads
bureau shows that on January |,
1923. the value in federal aid work
completed in Nebraska since federal
aid construction began was s5.1ss.-
5s5.s2. On that date figures show
that the federal government had paid
Is3.s73.l51.ss TO the state road depart
ment in answer 10 vouchers turned in
for that amount Of the complefed
work.
This left a balance Of si.31s.455.7s
available for further payment on
completed work. At the end OF the
fiscal year. June 80. 1898 this amount
had been reduced TO sass. .ss3.ss. The
difference represents completed work
paid for between January I. 1s23. and
June 80. 1928. In compliance with
vouchers turned in by the state de-
partment in Lincoln to the federal
government.
Waiting 10 Be Called for.
On November 80. 1923. this sum had
been reduced by vouchers turned IN
by the state department until il
amounted to S3s2 .aIIss. This. IN
brief. represents the balance due the
state Of Nebraska ready for payment
at all times. II is the amount on
hand for completed work from appro-
priations of the past state adminis-
tration matched by the federal gov
ernment. II is available for the
Bryan administration any time Of fhs
day or night
This S362.2lls5 is absolutely not
related by marriage or bv blood with
the appropriations made available
during the Bryan administration hv
the state legislature for continuation
OF federal aid road building. The fed.
eral money. sl.S71.7fs.I7 available
July /. 1898. 10 match a similar ap-
preparation voted by the lasr Nehras-
kR legislature. is absolutely intact IN
the federal treasury.
L. :. Draws no Line
Figures available At the federal
bureau show further that IN reducing
the amount of cash on hand fer com
pleted federal aid work from si.sls.-
4S3.7s on January l. is2a, 10 s3ss.-
slleS on November 30. 1925. the
present administration has issued
vouchers. cashed by the federal gov.
eminent for $574.7sl.ii for .wors
completed since January l. fass. The
remainder paid represents work con-
iracted for before the present admin.
istrauon went into power. and veuch-
cred for by the present administra-
ton
Tho federal government PAYS shse-
lutely no heed 10 rerioas ~ various
political administrations IN the states.
II has 50 much to spend fer federal
aid roads and i, spends !; whenever
tho states match like amount and
the work Is completed according %
government plans and specifications
Hence, failure Of the federal govern.
mert al any time TO take coSnizanc.
of whether approved veuehere.i work
paid for was done under Charlie
or Sans tenure Of office. Whenever
vouchers are received for completed
and approved work they are paid.
Over Two Millions Unused
Another fact not generally known
in Nebraska and Cleaned from inter-
views With federal good roads officials
is that when the NekelVie admins.
traiion stepped ont Of office there vss
Ss.>SS.SS6.7l in tho federal treasury
appcruoucd to Nebraska in years
gone by w building of federal sid
roads which >>ad never been assigned
60 any rad bu,'asas projects in Ne.
hIaska.
II represents money available = the
state at any time when plans and spe-
cldcations approved hv the federal
government are submitted snd when
a Hke sum is matched by the state
government
In short it represents the amount
~ unmatched Nebraska nsanav cn
hand, January . VISA al Is lnsae.
pantcnt pf tine 81 s-f =fef- t,34HeeNst