, 1923-02-11
Federal Aid
Great Money
Advantage

ton. 1t inevitably introduces the
problem Of whether the work is to
be continued. and If SO, to what ex.
tent, and what means will be used
for raising the funds necessary for
the program.
For the study of such problems as
may arise in this connection, as well
as the execution of any program laid
down, the state highway commission
Is appointed. This commission be-
lieves that public opinion is over
whelmingly in favor Of the con.
tinuance of highway improvements in
this state. In the determination of
the extent Of the annual program, its
studies are Influenced largely by two
factors, namely, the rate at which
federal aid funds are available, and
the reasonable time required to COM
plete the state highway system. now
designated as Z per cent of the entire
road mileage of the state. or better
known as the Z per cent system now
approved by the Bureau of Public
Roads, and all of which is proposed
to be constructed with federal aid
funds used In conjunction with state
funds.
S6NN
'There can be no doubt Of the
wisdom of fixing a program at least
Of sufficient extent from year to year
to take up Wyoming's allotment OF
federal aid. 1t should be clearly
understood, that unless such allot.
ment is taken up as available, 1t is
withdrawn and apportioned to other
states that will take It up. Inasmuch
NI-N Fa11-a ia
is a gift to Wyoming, It surely would
be folly to reject it under such circum-
stances. Moreover. federal aid may
not always be available, while our
roads will ever be with us, to be con
structed sooner or later.
"In a general way some provision
must be made for the completion of
the z per cent system within a certain
number of years A great amount of
study has been put on this phase of
the problem, the governing factor be.
ing the rate of increase of the motor
vehicle investment. At the present
time progress in road construction
laEs far behind the rate of increase in
motor vehicle investment, and while
this fact does not mean that there IS
likelihood of the highways being 20
limited in extent as to endanger the
crowding Off of such vehicles, it does
mean that too great an annual sum
is being lost in the wear and tear,
and operating costs of these vehicles
over unimproved roads. The result
Of nationwide study on this part of
the problem has led to the general
opinion that each state should com
plete its present Z per cent system
within from ten to fifteen years. Sum-
ming up, thus far then, the problem
Of determining the program to be laid
should be governed, primarily, by the
amount of federal aid available, and
in a, secondary way by the extent
necessary 10 complete the system
within a given time, namely, not over
fifteen years.
"what is the extent of the program
necessary to conform TO the above
requirements2 Considering federal
liz appropriations available to Wye
ming during the next biennium which
amount to approximately s2,4OO.0tc.
il is necessary in order TO take this
up. to raise for construction purposes
the sum of 81 $50 900 annually, it be
Ing realized that in addition to the
construction of federal aid projects
on the z per cen system 1t is vitality
necessary to do more or less enter
Eency work and minor construction
work on important roads not !m
proved or under federal aid construc.
tion. Construction work carried on
In accordance with such a program
would d to our completed federal
aid mileage in the Z per cent system
approximately $50 miles per annum
including all bridges. This would also
result in a rate sufficient to complete
the remainder Of the system in fifteen
years. II appears then that such a
program is the minimum that can be
undertaken with the view of complet.
ing the system in the given time.
The total amount of money neces.
sary therefore to satisfy the mini
mum annual program is 81 ,150, 900. 90
for construction, and as shown at var.
ious times, $3.50 10000 for mainten-
ance. or a total of 81, SOC, 10000 an.
nually. with this sum as the mini
mum necessary for the suitable prog
ress of highway construction in the
state, how shall it be raised. and in
raising It. how shall it be divided as
between taxpayer in general and the
motor vehicle owner?
Gasoline Tax Proposed.
AT the present time the sole
source of funds for new work is from
h portion of oil Royalty Funds al.
lotted to the highway department. 1t
is anticipated that for the fiscal year
such portion of funcs will amount TO
approximately $500. 100000. AS nom Of
this will be available before October,
1893. 1t appears that no new contracts
may be let before July or August,
thus losing three or four months of
the precious and short construction
eason of the coming ear.
IF. as is confidently expected. a
tTo-cent gasoline tax In authorized
by the 1923 legislature. which would