Evening journal., 1923-02-01
ECONOMY in
STATE ROADS
DEPT. Shown

pavement already laid throughout
fhe state. He commended the coun-
fties for their cooperation in the
good roads extension cause.
Mr.. Buck, in response TO ques-
lions. said the dupont Boulevard.
from wilmington to Selbyville to
date has cost in round hgures s4,-
275.s11. OF this cost General du-
Pont has paid out OF his own pocket
Ss.6OO.S42 in giving the boulevard
to the people, and the state has
Maid S674769. General DUPONT, In
offering the road as a gift 10 the
state. obligated himself 10 pay the
cost up to $4,000 a mile for con-
struction OF that road.
and for that reason he was de-
feated," interjected Senator Niven'
Republican. of Bridgeville, but this
sally brought no response.
Mr.. Buck also showed that the
States investment in modern roads
90 date is $4,000 the share fur
n.shed by the State of this amount
being S5,329. 900, the difference be-
ing paid by General dupont and the
three counties. the counties having
contributed approximately $500
zoe.
Engineer Buck, in addition TO
lmpressing upon the legislators the
0ecessity OF the state watching the
county and Federal moneys avail
able. proposed a tax OF one cent a
gallon on gasoline in 1923, and a
tax of two cents a gallon in 1924,
thus providing consde1 fable addi-
lonal revenue with which to meet
interest and sinking fund charges on
he highway bonds. Such bonds.
ae estimated, could be retired in %
years. instead of waiting 40 years, (
the maturity period set out in the
securities.
Mr.. Buck revealed saving In
1929 over the previous year Of many (
thousand dollars in the engineering
and administrative expenses Of the
department. A saving of S25,000
was effected in the administration
and the account of general engi-
neering was reduced $4,000. Au-
tomobiles OF the department were
maintained and operated at a saw
ing OF $4,000, and the cost of en-
gineerlng construction was reduced
$1,000. These reductions with
others OF lesser amounts alone
eaualled a saving OF $1,000 a mile
in the cost OF roads constructed in
1922. During the past year "a
miles, or one-third of all the roads
built by the State. were construct
eds Mr. Buck said any credit forth
coming for this showing and saving
all
neers and employees OF the depart
ment.
Salaries paid the engineers Of the
department. Mr.. Buck asserted. are
less than paid for such services in (
other States.
There was a discussion relative
to the fractional automobile license
bill introduced by Senator Hardesty.
Mr.. Buck estimated that the State
would lose at least S4700O a year
in the revenue should this bill be-
come a law.
Governor Denney who attended
the hearing thought the loss might l
run 10 $4,000 or $4,000.
Senator Hardesty remarked that S
Il had been practically decided TO {
make II a half year fractional IL
cense In the bill instead Of the quar- r
ter year as now pSovided in the bill. 81
That would stiil reduce the reve- C
nus said Mr.. Buck "by al least
$4,000, and that money is obligated {
now" b
Representative Nelson inquired 2
about the amount OF money that s
General dupont had paid towards /
the state Boulevard. Mr.. Buck {
sid Mr.. DUPONT had paid s2.601,- T
600 for the road north OF Glendale {
and had paid 100000 under the
dupont Boulevard act before that 7
for the road south OF that making 7
a total OF So Sol, 900. The State he Z
said has paid ssT4.0O0 from Ellen 5
Gale north. I
Chairman Collins asked what sec J
uons OF the State boulevard remain !
unoompieted. Mr.. Buck said there ;
Is a three-mile section at Smyrna. ,
seven miles from Odessa to St. I
Georges and about one mile at State
Road, part Of which has been done.
Mr.. Buck said. one section at old
Drawers Church will exceed the
amount that Mr.. DUPONT is obl-
gated 10 pay by his voluntary offer
but Mr.. Buck thought all the other
could be built ior $4,000 a mile or
les. y
Senator Murphy asked Mr.. Buck
10 explain Lis statement relative to
the proposed gasoline tax for the ,
benefit Of Senator Hardesty who ,
came into the room after he made ,
the statement.
After ne made the statement there 4,
was a general discussion as to t,
whether or not the tax should be =
made one or two cents a gallon for !,
the first year Mr.. Buck said in =
states where such a law is in force :
hey estimate on receiving $3.50
from each car. Mr.. Nelson said he
did not understand why Il should :
not be made two cents straight for :
each year.
Senator Viven suggested it he
made two cents this year and three !,
cents next.
SIR Buck said seventeen states i
now have a gasoline tax law and
j seemed to be the most equitable
way TO provide for road construc- 2
fion. He said a bill was being pre-
pared to exempt those using gaso- =
line but not on the roads, such as :
farm tractors and gasoline boats. Z
Senator Viven inquired II he :
thought the tractors should be ex-
empted. Mr.. Buck said the farmer
has a hard enough time as it is. He =
could see no reason why moto- :
boats using gasoline should be re- =
ON ra 70 : na 80 |