Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1926-08-25

These are some OF the high points
presented by Thomas II. Macdonald,
Chief of the Bureau of Public Roads,
Department OF, Agriculture, in an In
tsrview on highway development.
THE equipment of this continent
with modern roads has been the most
amazing provision of . public utility
that any community ever accom-
nlished IN q similar period. said Mr..
Macdonald. Historians say the
Roman Empire was held together by
IL highway system, radiating from
Rome TO the Provinces. But America
has converted continent into q
neighborhood within q few years.
This plishment really repre-
sents the Inauguration OF a new sys-
tenn of taxation; a system of licenses
and excuses levied against particular
privileges or classes of property, the
proceeds being dedicated to highway
development
Tor 1925 state taxes on gasoline
aggregated $4,000, 900. Add to that
S2s3, SOC, 900 for automobile registra-
ton and licenses; S150,O00,0O0 az
property taxes on the 100000 900 auto
mobiles; $14s,430, 7os as the Federal
excise tax on automobiles, parts and
accessories for 1925; s50,000,000 to
represent whsshSe taxes, special
taxes on gasoline or cars, and fines
collected from motor drivers. The
total reaches approximately S749..
s30,70e
Nearly s1,1oo, Geo, 900 Yearly Tolls
"But these figures do not include
income and corporation taxes derived
from the motor car business. Nor do
they include state, local, production,
corporation or income taxes OF the
| petroleum industry. Yet that indus
try has capitalization of about
$4,000 900, 900. A modest estimate for
these, added to the preceding figures.
makes a total Of S1,094 $50, 709, which
Ia considerably more than the entire
amount spent on country roads.
you observe that | have not in
eladsd the governments expenditures
OF nearly $1O0,0o0,000 in Federal aid
to road building. In the eight years
from 1918 to 1925 inclusive, the Gov
eminent has contributed $3.50, 900, 900
| to help the states build roads. That
| Is considerably less than half of what
the country spent on roads in either
1924 or 1925 Moreover, in the same
eight years, while the Government
was distributing that S460,000000 to
the states. it collected 1878, 100000 in
internal revenue taxes on motor cars,
! parts and accessories. Other hun
dreds of millions were collected in In.
come and corporation taxes from mo-
tor car manufacturers and dealers
Thus 1t appears that Federal con
tribution to roads as compared to the
contribution of people who make and
use the cars and the gasoline has
been decidedly modest.
But, while Federal contribution is
only about 10 per cent Of highway ex
pense, 1t has accomplished results al
together out Of proportion to Its
amount First, it was an incentive to
the States. Thu Government required
them to invest as much as it con
| lIlpulCu. 1 ucu inc NTONcl uUleul taxes
part in a general supervision OF con
struction and share in determining
routes. SO we have built roads or
better standards, and have got them
organized into a truly national sys
TEN instead OF forty-eight state sys
TENS.
Unifying the Road System
Some day it will be realized thai
this was the most valuable contrfbu
ton, Driving from Boston to New
York, man may pass through four
states. Every one might have a
splendid highway system; but if these
did not articulate at the state lines
the trip would be almost impossible
Thanks to the systematization under
Federal influence, country roads are
as superior to state boundary lines as
are railroads.
1.-THE Federal highway act of 1927
required that complete nation-reach
ing system of roads be designated
within two years. as the roads tC
which Uncle Sam would give assist
ance. II was found that there were
2,S66.06l miles of highway in The
country. OF these 7 per cent. or zoo,