The Winslow mail., 1925-02-13

y
changes in the gasoline and motor
mended in the sixth biennial re-
port of the state engineer.
The report in question is cram
med with full information concern
ing the state highway department
and system, presented in straight
forward, intelligent manner that
will appeal strongly to the layman.
1t is replete with halftone illus
trations, maps and diagrams, and
in all is without doubt the best
highway report ever submitted to
the governor of this state.
The subject matter covers the
operations of F. R. Goodman and
w. G. Lefebvre, the latter succeed
ing the former as state engineer
under the democratic state admin
istration which closed December 81
1924.
In it's recommendations to the
legislature the report declares that
the ten cent levy on each 500 of
valuation is fair tax to all and
should remain in force.
With reference to auto license
fees, attention is called to the fact
that the average fee of all the states
is little more than $12 per car
whereas the average fee collected
under the Arizona law is $3.50. 1t
is recommended that the law be re-
vised to equalize better the tax
alton and also to include proper
tax on the use of tractors and trail
erS.
E'The gasoline tax" declares the
report, ''is the fairest tax that may
be placed upon a motor vehicle.
Attention is called to the fact that
16 per cent of the total gasoline
sold in Arizona is exempted, indi-
eating gross misuse of the exemp-
tion allowances.
The report criticises the division
of the gasoline tax, so per Scent of
which goes to the counties, the
other so per cent being divided, 25
per cent to the 25 per cent fund
and 25 per cent to the rs per cent
fund, claiming that this division
does not permit of the most bene-
fetal use. 1t is therefore suggest
ed that a tax of three cents per
gallon be imposed on each gallon
of fuel oil used for transportation
on the highways, and that the en-
tire receipts be turned over to the
state highway fund.
County interests in state high
ways has long since ceased to be
limited by it's own boundaries, says
the report Hence the reason which
dictated the creation of the 25 per
have ceased to exist, it is argued
and the segregation of funds should
be abandoned.
Other legislative recommends
tions are:
Bus and truck lines should pay
a fair tax in addition to their pres
ent mileage tax.
Legislation to facilitate the state
engineer to obtain rights of way.
Adequate finances to carry on a
comprehensive program of highway
development.
Legislation to provide compensa-
ton in personal injury cases for
employees of the highway depart
ment.
The Arizona system of highways
declares the report, is the states
foremost project, and should re-
ceive the serious and businesslike
consideration that is accorded other
projects, and adds:
"The. physical feasibility of the
state highway system project is al
ready an established fact The
probable cost of the system, as
now outlined to the necessary STAN
dard to meet the new evident re-
quirements, is approximately $25,-
100000 based upon a five to six year
construction program. From the
traffic data now available the net
earnings of the system for the
minimum life of the highways is
far in excess of the cost"
The minimum requirements for a
five year program are placed at
$5,000,000 per annum, segregated
as follows: Maintenance, 100000,
grading, gravel surfacing d
bridges, $1,5OO,OOO, hard surfacing
or paving $2,500,000, general over
n0dQ, renewal OIL equipment, poVV,-
900. In the event of bond issue
this annual allowance should be
increased to a total of $6,000,000
ito $7000,000 as early as possible,
it is suggested.
The finances now levied and
raised by the state for highway
purposes is characterized as hope
1essly inadequate under the present
system of distribution. In the past,
says the report, state levys were
materially augmented by donations
from county bond issues, now ex-
hausted, and it is unfair to the
counties to expect such additional
aid.
The status of the Arizona high
way system is shown in tabula-
ton by counties, giving the follow
{ ing totals:
Total miles ----..-.------.-----------.----1, 1854
Graded and drained --.--..,..--.-.....,. 149
Selected gravel surfacing .----.1 ,1S5
Asphalt paving -39
Concrete paving -,,.--.---.------.--.-.-----13f
Under construction .--..----......,,.-.-..9 SO