, 1925-02-05

OF the Wyoming Legislature we
House Revenue committee at the
Plains hotel late Tuesday. The pur-
pose of the committee in calling this
public meeting was to ascertain what
the general. attitude of the people of
the state is toward the proposed legis-
lation.
The State Highway department
was represented at the meeting by
l.. E. Laird, highway superintendent;
z. E. S%evisOn, State Highway engin-
eer. and Sam w. Conwell, of Casper,
chairman of the State Highway COM
mission. Upon the request of Repre-
sentative R. H. Alcorn, chairman OF
the meeting, Mr.. Sevison presented
data showing the work accomplished
by the Highway department since its
organization, and also presented an
estimate OF the program Of the High
way department for the next two
years, showing the amour of work
to be completed and the estimated
cost OF completion. According to
Sevison the program will necessitate
the expenditure Of $19,S11,00 to
complete the construction of roads in
the State Of Wyoming, the work to
cover a period of nine years at an
average yearly cost of $~2,292,0OO. At
the present time there are 5000
miles OF highway in this state. and
1850 miles have been constructed
thus far. A number of projects will
have to be constructed, such as the
Rawlins-Casper road and the Lara
mie-Rawlins road according to Sew
ison. 1t is estimated that $1,286,-
$50 will be required to maintain the
roads of the state during the next
two years. An average yearly cost
OF about 100000. according to the
report. Sevison also pointed out
that 35 per cent of the oil royalty
money OF the state was turned over
to the Highway department for new
construction each year.
Sevison cited the amount of mon
ey that the State has received from
the o%ne-cent gasoline tax since 1t be-
came effective. Since May, 1928, in
Guiding January, 1925, the total
money received from this source to-
tailed s365,,576.S4 all of which was
used to maintain the highways. of
the State. although it was insuffi-
cient to maintain all the state high
ways, about $4,000 yearly being
required for this purpose. Sevison
asserted.
Representative Moses explained
the purpose Of his proposed gasoline
tax bill. which amounts approx
mately to a 2h cent yearly tax. Mr..
Moses explained that he believed
that the tourist traffic in Wyoming
WAS the heaviest from May to Oc'o-
Der. and for that reason he believed
"A three-cent tax should be applied.
For the other seven months OF the
year. Mr.. Moses explained. the traf-
fic is much less. and a two-cent tax
should prevail as the roads were used
for business In winter. II was es-
timated that about 100000 could
be obtained from this kind OF a tax.
almost enough TO adequately main
tain all the highways In wyoming.
II was pointed Out that the cost OF
maintenance will not increase ma
terially In the next few years.
Representative Archibald Camp
bell. OF Lander. asserted that the
money the State was getting from
oil royalties was on the decrease.
showing that the production OF the
Salt Creek field had decreased con-
siderably In the past two years. the
producers now getting about one
fourth OF the oil they formerly run
from the wells In that field. the ap-
proximate production OF that field at
the present time being about $4,000
barrels daily. wyoming Is n beauti.
full state said Mr.. Campbell. and
there are good people In this state,
but there IL one fact l should like to
convcy to them. The big oil pro-
duccrs Of wyoming are well aware
OF tho fact that tho. Salt Creek field
will rot last forever. The produc-
ers have expended hundred OF thous.
ands OF dollars In an attempt to find
another pool OF oil In this State. but
have had no success. The state has
been practically combed by geologists
and scouts. but their work has been
In vain. Wyoming IL not another
Kansas or Oklahoma. because In
thoss states new pools are being
found and opened all the time. There
10 n Inevitable result OF tho de-
creased oil production In Wyoming
TIE money the State receives from
oil royalties will dwindle each year
Antil there 10 absolutely nothing left
IAs Htghway department will then
A-ls