Evening journal., 1923-01-31
ASKS AMPLE
STATE AID To
FINISH ROADS
CONTINUED From First Page)

and he has a contingent fund of
$500. His department is asking
SI10,9sO for 1924. and s175,25O for
1925. He explained these sums rep
resent their requirements under GER
tain conditions. but are not actually
the departments request to the Leg
islature.
He declared the commission will
ask for enough money to match
the funds available in the State
from the Federal government, which
will total about s2,5OO.OOO. He said
in Sussex county there are uneX-
pended bonds for road work TO the
extent of 100000; in Kent about
$500. 900. and in New Castle. about
S25O,OOO. Under an act of Congress
allowing the States money for road
work. Delaware's share is S926,O0O
for two years.
Buck said they wanted to match
this total appropriation which would
bring the total fund TO about So
600. 400 for road purposes in Della
ware!
Under Government aid to build
concrete road II costs about S16,-
600 per mile as the Government
share. or a total of $4,000 per mile
as based on the work done last
year, with 1-2 per cent additional
for the engineering work. He es-
timated this s5,00O.0OO should build
between $50 and 175 miles of roads
and thereby complete the states
program Of modern roads in the
three counties.
Mr. Buck estimated the engineer !
ing costs and overhead costs will I
total about $500 per mile. He said /.
the State finances its share of all I
this by bond issues which are re- !
tired in forty years, which Is the |
estimated life of a concrete road,
but only estimated because there |
are no concrete roads in the coun-
try forty years old. He said
these highway bonds may be re-
tired in less than 40 years at 1O5.
Dut he estimated these bonds should
mature and be retired in % years
He estimated that If this year there
are built rs miles Gf roads. 25 miles
n which will be State highways,
he department will require s116,-
$50 for It's maintenance.
Senator Murphy ed him that II
/ tax of one cent a gallon on gaso-
ne is provided for this year and
ak Of two cents a gallon next year
he Highway Department would
reed as much money next year as
dr. Bucks estimates will be required
his year.
Mr.. Buck explained that a one
'ent tax this year would just about
meet the S116.250 the Department
asked for this year. but in 1924 IT
will simply need loan which will
he paid back when the tax is col
ected.
Senator Hopkins said many per-
sons opposed a two cent tax on
gasoline per gallon.
Mr.. Buck replied the one cent tax
averages $3.50 per car a year. and
this sum will just about pay the ap-
for road work. He said
4 the IFS miles OF road are COM
pleted il will give the State $50
niles OF new roads or ten per cent
If all the roads in the State. which
r. considered exceptionally good.
md will complete the States high
way program. Mr.. Buck stated in
eply to "A question from Representa-
i've Lednum that the upkeep OF
nacadam road is $500 "A year while
,er mile the upkeep of concrete
Dad IS only S27 per mile per year.
Chairman Collins wanted to know
T the department has any way
Whereby the state can get a revenue
rom the heavy trucks which pass
through the State and now pay II (
othing for the use OF our roads.
Mr.. Buck said he has a plan 10
rotect the roads against heavy loads
nd said something must be done or {
he concrete roads will fail prema
urely II loads are not restricted. He
Ia aimed Il was not fair to the State
o have the roads torn up by trucks Z
hat pay nothing. nor was It fair
o the railroads 10 permit It because
hey pay for their right OF way and =
rucks are allowed 10 operate in
and without cost. I
Mr.. Buck told the committee the
state now has s11,0OO,OOO invested Z
n roads extending 264 miles. On
he question of salaries he said his Z
,wn and those of all the men in
he Highway Department, including
II the engineers. are far below the {
ums paid by neighboring states to
nen doing exactly the same kind I
# work. For instance, tie average
alary OF chief highway engineer
3 $4,000.
Representative Collins said their
alary list is a mere "piker" com
,ared to some departments in this
tate.
Senator Mcdowell asked Mr. Buck I
f the Highway Commission listens 9
o suggestions from the Levy
'ourts as to the type Of roads TO -,
e built by state aid. p
Mr.. Buck replied that they would.
ut they never receive such sug- J
estions
Senator Mcdowell then asked II IL =
ras not possible to ouild a cheaper a
oad under the State a'd plan to :
old up. Mr.. Buck replied that the a
aw contemplates that the road >.
hall last at least until the bonds !,
xpire and that unless II is water
ound penetrate on macadam IT n
night last. This type OF road would ,
My be about $1,000 a mile cheaper y
han the concrete and would harry =
ay for that saving. he said 4,
Senator Mcdowell also asked IL ii ~
gould not be possible to build mar /,
over concrete roads and add to =