Pocahontas star herald., 1923-09-07
Highway Legislation

Arkansas Legislature, ana as / hNu
not seen a copy Of the proposed bill
asked the Governor for information
on some Of the specific points Of the
bill
1st. What class of roads would be
affected and what effect would it have
on the great masses. To illustrate :
Would such roads as traverse the state
from Memphis to Little Rock, from
Texarkana to Little Rock, Rogers to
Little Rock, from Corning to Little
Rock, in these cases would the coun-
ties through which these roads pass
be the only state highways and the
only ones to receive Federal aid which
the state so much needs, to the eXclu-
sion of those counties that are not
favored by such highways? In that
case we would be opposed to that
phase of the bill. But on the other
hand, if all counties were to share in
the state federal funds to be applied
to the liquidation of the millions of
dollars in bonds that all The counties
except eleven are now bonded for.
as | now understand it, then in this
case l am for the bill, whole hearted
ly, in some form in order that the
state may meet the requirements of
the Federal government in order that
we may all share in the three and
one-half million dollars that is now
due the state and share alike with
every other state in the Union, and
each sounty share alike according to
the mileage of highways in the sever
al counties. As fifty per cent of our
quota will 90 to liquidate our present
Indebtedness and the other fifty per
cent to the maintenance and cOnstruc-
tion Of public highways. then | do no
see how anyone could oppose the plan
and reject the four million dollars
now in the state and the millions that
come in after years. All of the other
forty-seven states have adopted this
plan and are now being greatly bene-
fitted by it. DO we want to continue
to receive the criticism and ridicule
we so justly deserve from all the other
states?
| happen to know something of the
attitude Of other states toward Ark
ansas. Hundreds and thousands of
tourists are travelling to and fro all
over the country and the tourists seek
information from the bureau of in
formation for routing and it's fact
that the tourists are advised by these
bureaus of information to keep out of
Arkansas as they cannot get over our
roads. Such things as these are very
damaging to our state as we lose the
sale of hundreds of thousands of dol
lars worth Of gasoline and other things
tourists buy, besides they fail to see
the wonderful possibilities of Arkan-
sas, the resources of which are the
greatest in this government.
Governor McRae's answer follows /:
Mr.. c. G.. Johnston,
"POcahontas, Ark
Dear Mr.. Johnston:
Il have received your letter. and
from the records of the Highway De
partment | find that If the proposed
Bill should become a law. IL
will have the following effect upon
your county:
Your county nas 9I.40 miles of
road that form a part Of the state
Highway System. This mileage is
made up Of 2G.70 miles primary. 32.7O|
miles Secondary and $500 miles Of
state road, and includes the follow
ng county roads:
"Pocahontas-Walnut Ridge Road
Observation-Disclosures Road:
"Pocahontas-Mammoth Spring Road
"POcahOntas-DOniphan Road:
Notwithstanding Road:
Under the proposed Highway Bill
hese roads are to be taken over by
he State and maintained uniformly
With state funds. The proposed bill
that this work be started as
'oon as practicable. and II is safe to
assume that If the bill is enacted into
aw Wy October 18TH within sixty days
lctive work will be in progress on the !
state Highways of your county.
Your county has bond issue Of !
My S104500., and there is collected
irf road Improvement taxes, |
bout $500 Under the proposed bill |
he state will he required to pay half
" this amount each year until all in
ebtedness Is paid off.
1T is well to stress the point that
u mileage noted above forms part
! the STATE Highway System. and will
hare uniformly in the benefits 10 be-
Horded 10y the new bill. There will
u no discrimination whatsoever be.
ween the several counties. or between
he different classes Of roads. As far
$ the state Is concerned. all roads of
ne state Highway System form a part
I the great connected system of roads
mi must he maintained and taken
are Of on a uniform basis. II mat
Prs not whether u road Is primary
DAD. secondary road or state rnad.
he Highway Dcpartmpn. win be- re-.
ulred to give the same regular at-
'ntiou to each