The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-10-22
MONTANA WOULD
PROFIT 6 TO | BY
GOOD ROADS Bill
Pays $4,000 Excise Tax On
Cars at Factory - Would
Draw $1,551,6OO Federal Aid

Montana will gain six to one if Ini-
tiative No. 81, the "Good Roads" bill,
is balloted into the statute books by
the people on November 2, according
to local representatives Of the Mon
tana Automobile association, which Is
sponsoring the measure.
F~ederal-aid funds are created from
a three per cent excise tax collected
by the government IN the factory
price of all new motor vehicles sold,
and the people of Montana will pay
this fiscal year only $240,000 OF about
10000 new cars and trucks purchased
at an average price of $500 each,
while the federal-aid allotments that
will be matched and spent on the state
highway system, if bill No. 81 IS
passed, will be $~1,551,66O for this
year only; a gain of six to one.
Fortunate Situation
Two facts contribute to this for
tunate advantage to the state at this
time, the statement points out. Mon
tana gets more allotted ~federal-aId
than any of the IL western states ex-
cept California because of a larger
comparative area, upon which basis
One-third of the allOtments are made.
Furthermore, part of the excise tax
now paid by eastern states with enOr-
nous motor vehicle buying power
goes to the western states that pur-
chase fewer automobiles, and Montana
Farnens to be one of the largest par
Elephants. The total excise tax col
lected by the government in 1925 was
$124,686, 745; four and eight-tenths
per cent Of the u. S. internal revenue
receipts.
Would Lose Millions
The proposed gasoline tax, increas-
ed by one cent, will yield in Montana
approximately $4,000, 900 during the
next 10 years, and this will be match
ed with $16,OOO,OOO of federal-aid al
lotmcnts. Unless hill Nc. - is ap-
proved by the people on November 2
$4,651 ,0G0 in federal-aid will be lost
during the first three years; $7,751,.
$50 will be lost in five years. end the
Sl6,000.00 will be lot in 10 years
1t is a notable fact that no state ir
the union has been able to carry out
its state highway program without
government assistance; every one Of
them has taken advantage Of the fed.
eral-aid, and there is no reason to be.
Eeve that Montana can meet the stu.
alton in any other way. Bill No. 81
duplicates approximately the sam
program that has succeeded in al
other states, and the advantage o.
their experience can be secured. Tht
pr~acticability Of the plan has beer
demonstrated by its successful opera
ton.
Other States Busy
While more ~federal-aid is allotted
to Montana than to any Of he /.
western states except California
these states have from $456,000 t.
$~7,68C,OOO in their funds to mattel
federal-aid, yet Montana will hav
none at all unless the people accep
it by voting for the proposed meas
ure.
That the gas tax plan is the fairesI
most equitable, and feasible e O
matching ~federal-aid is clearly show
in the fact that % states, since Janu
airy 1, 1925, have followed it by init
ating gas tax laws or increasing thei
gas tax rates.
The statement concludes that Nor
tana cannot go ahead with the stat
highway system without federal-air
and the only fair and workable pla
by which to secure it is contained
initiative good roads bill No. 81.