Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-11

and that these funds, with such fed
eral aid as will he available during
1924, will provide only for some
what curtailed program" continues
the report of the highway commits
sioners.
I'm view of President Coolidge's
reference to federal aid in his mes
sage to Congress- and the further
fact that the national budget car
ries a $90.00o,000 appropriation for
federal aid highway work, it is rea-
sonable to believe that Congress will
continue appropriations for federal
aid highways. If the State of Maine
is to receive its portion of such
funds it will be absolutely necessary
for the legislature which will meet
in 1925 to make definite provision for
further funds for this line of work.
I'VE tried to emphasize in our last
annual report the necessity for
larger appropriation for carrying on
State aid highway work, the CO.
operative road work between the
towns and the State. We referred to
the fact that in 1921 applications
were received from towns which
would have required $792. 527.97 to
meet the States share of the cost of
this work under the State aid law.
We pointed out that in 1922 applica
tions for State aid amounting to
$S52,019.S5 were received.
TN our budget estimates for the
fiscal year of 1924. We estimated the
needs of the department as $1,000
900 for state aid. Applications for
state aid received In the spring of
1928 Estate aid paid out of appropria-
tsa., 60
amounted to s922,041.23. The last
legislature made an attempt to pro-
vide 100000 of funds for State aid
work from the surplus in the state
contingent fund. but without avail
1t became apparent prior to the ad
journment of the legislature that ap-
plications would be received for an
amount very much in excess of the
amount to become available. 1t was
also apparent that applications re-
ceived under the provisions of the five
times clause of the State aid law and
the three town act. which had been
ruled by the attorney generals Of
flee to take precedence over other
forms of State aid, would nearly use
up available funds.
THE legislature passed an emer-
gency measure, Chapter 203 of the
public laws of 1923. providing an or
der of apportiOnment of State aid as
follows: First, for regular state aid;
second, for State aid under the five
times clause; third, for apportion-
ments to towns under the three town
act. A provision was also enacted
that In case there are not sufficient
funds available from the State to
meet the appointments of the sew
pr1l towns 1nnrOnri n tiI,tr M
Ger the three town act to the extent
of at least one years State aid the
municipal officers of any or all towns
making an appropriation under the
three town act may set aside from
the amount so appropriated the am
cunt which any such town would be
entitled to appropriate in order to
secure single years State aid under
the regular provisions of the State
aid law and to apply for State aid.
The State highway commission is
authorized by this act to apportion
to such towns Il single years State
aid
1T was necessary to make appor-
tionmcnts of State aid in the spring
OF 1928 in accordance with the pro-
visions of this act.
AS the result Of insufficient State
funds to meet appropriations made
by tho towns for State aid work,
there was curtailment of State aid
road work during the season of 1928
to the extent of $6002S1.S7.
ut may be we'll to recall at this
time that Il similar curtailment,
amounting to $245.149.57. was neccs-
sary in 1921. although during that
year there was an extra S15O,OO0 OF
state aid, and the curtailment in
state aid construction during 1922
amounted to $59G.0223t.
THE purpose Of reciting these
figures at this time is to bring to
the attention of the public this evi-
dcnce of general interest in the cues
ton of road Improvement, as shown
by the action of the voters at their
annual town meetings during the
last three years. 1t would certainly
seem rs though state funds ought to
be found to meet this desire on the
part OF the towns to help themselves
i'll the matter of the construction of
improved roads
I'VE desire at this time to renew
the Recommendation previously made
by us that suitable quarters be pro-
Nided for tho use of this commission
and its engineers. During the WIN
ter of 1920 and 1921 and during 1872.
and 1928 it was necessary to rent n
part of a building in the city of Au-
EuSta to house the force of drafts
men. This arrangement was far
from satisfactory. The commission
Itself has never been provided with
suitable office whore meetings may
be held and delegations received"