The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-03-24
REASONS FOR
ASKING V0TE0N
STAXGlVEN
Waiting For Next Legislature
to Act Would Necessi.
tate a Years Delay

Petitions calling Tor vote by the
people on the question OF two-cent
gasoline tax are being signed rapidly
and there is every reason to believe
that the electors Of the state viii be
called upon to vote on the measure at
the June primary. according to !. j..
Moe Of Valley City, member OF the
Two Cent Gas Tax Committee. Some
people, however, have wondered why
it is necessary to initiate tins bil!,
and Mr. Moe has given the following
statement:
During the past year. the receipts
from the onc-ccnt gas tax brought IN
about $650.000, according TO the books
of the state treasurer. VI TINS
amount, the first $20O.0O0. goes into
the general fund to pay The general
expense Of the state government. Inc
balance is allotted to the state high
way commission for the construction,
reconstruction and maintenance o.
state highways. From the receipts Of
the auto license fees, the state high-
way commission received SlOl.ia lhSl
year for the same purpose, ana inc
counties "A like amount for county
roads. The law now makes 1t the duty
Of the state highway commission to
pay for this from its own funds.
This was formerly paid for by the
counties. The number of miles tn be
maintained each year will grow and
SO increase the gross amour: each
year for this maintenance work.
Every dollar spent for maintenance
decreases the money available Tor
construction and by this much. re-
duces our ability to improve our state
highway system.
How Construction Is Paid For
Continuing, Mr.. Moe said. "A'
present 80 per cent Of the cost OF
improving our state roads comes iron
federal aid. % per cent Is furnished
as state aid out Of the funds of the
state highway commission. and tht
counties are asked to contribute -
per cent. We have enough fedora
aid available at present. But. there
is insufficient state money to con
tinuc the contribution of 20 per cen
and if this condition continues anl
grows worse. then the counties mus
be asked to contribute 30 per cent. Of
even 40 per cent, Of the cost OF i'm
provement as there will not be enough
money to 90 around otherwise. o
course. the road building program
can be shrunk to the size OF on
POCKET books, but apparently. GU
people do not want this.
1926 Road Demands
''For 1926 construction the variou
county boards. up to January !. ha
asked for 1922 miles Of earth grad
ing and 4O2 miles Of gravel surfacinl
Owing to the inadequate funds avail
able, it is necessary to defer the con
struction Of 462 miles of earth grad
ing and II miles Of gravellng I
next year or some other future time
The state highway commission
even now getting additional request
for construction this year which
will be impossible to meet. Mort
Dakota is one Of four states that ha
one-cent gasoline tax. Other state
charge two, three and several "A
much as five cents. The gasoline ia
is one Of the easiest sources Of pro
curing additional revenue. AS well a
one which most people are ready
contribute
"But why not wait until the legis
laturc meets" Mr.. Noe was asked.
"Well. Gov. A. G.. Sorlic recommend
cd II two-ccnt gas tax but the mcasur
failed Of passage in the last Legisla
ture." Mr.. Moe replied. Again,
Will De u year DeIOrc Sucn WcaSur
can become effective if we ava
legislative action. and a year and
half before the income therefrom b,
comes really available. Initiating tn
gas tax bill will give US enough fund
for 1927 construction and even som
money for 1926 construction.
Save One Years Time
eve gain practically year in tim
But, more important still, federal al
funds must be put under contra'
within two years or they will laps
We have something like $1,000. 900 {
federal aid which We have not tied II
and about an additional million wi
become available next year and MOI
the year following. We do not wa,
the experience Of some other state
whose federal aid money was nj
used. Last year this state got $40
10000 federal aid money from MOI
tana. If we do not use our fcdcr;
aid, some other state will. II We d
not contribute up to 20 per cent fro
the state aid fund. then the count,
must make up the difference. o.
people apparently want more goo
roads, and the good-road users see
ready to help pay for them