Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-09-25
HIGHWAY COM
MISSION WILL
OVERSEE ROADS
Take Over Maintenance on
January |, 1924; Can
Make No New Improve
ments

County Judge Oscar &. DauCy has re-
ceived letter from the state highway
commission stating that the ub scrp
aud maintenance of all designated state
highways will be taken over on January
I. 1921. by the state highway commits
sion. The highway commission will cx-
pect to keep the roads in a. good con
dition a. they find them when same were
taken over No improvements will be-
made in the roads The letter sent to
Judge Dancy by the state highway com
mission follows:
Austin. Texas. Sept. -. 1923.
To All County Judges, County CommiS-
sioners and County Engineers
Dear Sir:
In accord with the provisions Of H. H.
mi of the rcglar session Of the Thirty
Eighth Legislature. the State Commis-
sion expects. on January |. 1924. To take
over the maintenance of all the drsig-
mated state highways.
For your further Information wish
TO advise that the State Highway Com
mission considers maintenance "a mean
keeping a road in "a good condition aS IL
may be at the time that il is taken over.
No extensive improvements. either in
quality or type. will be- made upon any
road BY the maintenance organization.
for the reason that the funds provided
are insufficient funds a. continue as
siSting those progressive counties that
have voted bond issues. in building their
roads
There is reason "a believe that in a
humber IL counties, the G. mmisSionrrS'
Courts are not expcnding their reSper-
tive portions Of the Motor Vehicle Fees
in maintaining the designated state high
ways. but are ncglecting the maintenance
of such highways in anticipation that the
State Highway Commission will. on Jan
nary |, do the necessary maintenance
work which the Commissioners Courts
have failed 30 far 10 DO.
If. in these counties. roads are allowed
10 get in bad condition for lack Of main
tenancc. the Highway Commission. n
stated before. win only maintain these
reads in n good condition a. they may
be in when taken over January /, 1924.
and the citizens II these counties will
have only their RESPECTIVE. Commission
ers' Courts to blame for this condition
IL funds were available. the Highway
Commission would gladly improve and
maintain all the roads IN the system for
the benefit Of the State a n whole. but
n a matter OF fairness and justice ~ the
counties who have bonded themselves for
the purpose Of building good roads. the
Commission must keep in position 10
assist them. The law directs the coun-
ties to use their registration fees until
January I. 1921. in maintaining the
designated state Highways. Many of the
counties of the state are doing this aud
il would be an injustice To these counties
fo rthe Highway Department 10 improve
the roads Il other counties that have
failed 10 do their duty under the law.
II il therefore hoped that the Com
missioners' Courts of the different coun-
ties will make every effort to keep the
designated highways not only in the best
condition possible. but a. improve them
a. far "a their funds will permit in order
that they can bc turned over 10 the High
way Department in good condition and
be kept this way by our maintenance or
ganization. We known that many coun-
ties are Loyalty trying 20 do this and We
hope that all of them will realize the inn
portance Of such action.
Very truly.
i. ~. Faunilrroy.
State Highway Engineer.